The Peoples Democratic Party’s decision on Thursday not to sign the peace accord ahead of the Edo State governorship election September 21 has sparked reactions and concern in the state, ahead of the poll, The PUNCH reports......KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE👈
Of the 17 political parties contesting the poll, 16 signed the treaty, with the ruling PDP the only party which declined to be part of the agreement.
This comes as INEC begins the distribution of Permanent Voter Card today. The three-day exercise ends on Sunday, according to the electoral body.
The state PDP chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi, and its governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, were present at the peace accord signing but stoutly declined to follow suit.
Aziegbemi hinged their action on the alleged arrest of 10 PDP members currently detained by the police in Abuja.
He said, “We are here to register our protest before the peace committee and to say that the PDP will not sign a peace accord when 10 of our members have been arrested and detained by the Police in Abuja.”
His disapproval comes in the wake of a denial by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who announced at a stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday that he was not aware of the development.
INEC concern
However, The Chief Press Secretary to the Independent National Electoral Committee chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, in an interview with The PUNCH expressed worry that the PDP shunned the accord, which he said was geared towards ensuring a peaceful, free and fair governorship election in Edo State.
He said, “It is unfortunate that the PDP decided not to sign the accord. But they can still do so. We appeal to them to have a change of heart and sign the accord, which is geared towards ensuring a peaceful, free and fair governorship election in Edo State.
“We don’t have any fear as a commission because first, we know that Edo people are peace-loving. Secondly, security agencies have assured us (INEC) that they will not allow any form of violence. However, we are concerned that the PDP is not in the fold as far as the peace accord is concerned,” Oyekanmi added.
The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, hinted on Wednesday that the PDP might not sign the Peace Accord, expressing concern that the police, under the influence of the APC, had arrested no fewer than 10 PDP chieftains perceived as strong political opponents, including the serving Chairman, Esan West Local Government Area, Collins Aigbogun, who was arrested and taken to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Remarkably, the APC had also threatened to pull out of the accord.
The state APC chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, who stated this at a press conference on Thursday morning, said the inability of the police to arrest members of other parties responsible for attack on their members, informed the decision.
In a statement, Tenebe said, “It has become imperative for our party, the All Progressives Congress to tell Nigerians why we are not predisposed to be a signatory to Peace Accord.
First, two months ago, the then Edo State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, told Nigerians that the command had the names of those who murdered Inspector Onuh Akor at the Benin airport. Inspector Akor was shot by members of Edo State Security Network when they unleashed mayhem on APC supporters, who were at the airport to receive the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, who was with the APC governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo while returning from Abuja.
“It is saddening to note that for more than two months since this ugly incident took place, the police are still unable to arrest and prosecute those that have been identified to be involved in the callout and unprovoked attack, as Governor Obaseki, who professed and proclaimed that he is the Chief Security Officer of the state, has warehoused these callous and notable hoodlums in Government House.”
Remarkably, few hours to the peace pact, the state chapter of the APC had also threatened to pull out.
The state APC chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, who stated this at a press conference on Thursday morning, said the inability of the police to arrest members of other parties responsible for attacks on their members informed the decision.
In a statement, Tenebe said, “It has become imperative for our party, the All Progressives Congress to tell Nigerians why we are not predisposed to be a signatory to Peace Accord.
First, two months ago, the then Edo State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, told Nigerians that the command had the names of those who murdered Inspector Onuh Akor at the Benin airport. Inspector Akor was shot by members of Edo State Security Network when they unleashed mayhem on APC supporters, who were at the airport to receive the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, who was with the APC governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo while returning from Abuja. Punch