Seventeen out of 18 political parties contesting the September 21, 2024 Edo State governorship election have signed a peace accord ahead of the election.
Edo State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chairman Anthony Aziegbemi and the party’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who were present during the signing of the Peace Accord, declined to sign.
Aziegbemi told newsmen that they were declining because 10 members of the party were currently being detained by the police in Abuja.
“We are here to register our protest before the peace committee and to say that the PDP will not sign peace accord when 10 of our members have been arrested and detained by the police in Abuja,” he said.
It would be recalled that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Wednesday during the stakeholders meeting, said he was not aware that PDP members were arrested in the state.
“However, I am aware that individuals who committed crimes and political violence in the state have been arrested, ” Egbetokun said.
The Convener of the National Peace Committee, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, charged the candidates to see peace as a foundation for credible election.
Kukah said that the task before the committee was to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a peaceful election devoid of violence.
“We should be thankful for our country because some other African countries are in crisis because of unresolved political issues.
“Let us thank God that we have the opportunity in Nigeria to stretch our hands in search for justice.
“I am happy that Nigerians are having confidence in the electoral process. A worst election is remedied by another election,” he said.
Kukah urged Edo people to go out and cast their votes, saying that Edo should count themselves lucky having produced top politicians in Nigeria.
In his welcome remarks, the Chairman, National Peace Committee, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, said the ceremony was a commitment to uphold the peace, unity, and democratic values of the nation
Abubakar noted that since the committee’s formation in 2014, its had worked tirelessly to foster an environment where every Nigerian could exercise their constitutional right to vote without fear of violence or intimidation.
He appealed to candidates, parties and their supporters to remember that peace was the foundation upon which progress and development was built and established.
“Without it, none of the promises made to the people of Edo State can be fulfilled.
“I encourage everyone to uphold this commitment beyond the elections and accept the outcome of the election,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu assured that INEC would continue to play its part in line with the electoral laws.
Yakubu thanked the Peace Committee for bringing the political parties and their candidates together to agree to a peaceful election.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, noted that the Police in collaboration with other security agencies would be supporting INEC in conducting the election.
“We will remain impartial, professional and vigilante while providing a level playing ground for political parties and their candidates,” the IGP said.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, which had earlier announced that it will boycott the signing of the Peace Accord, eventually made a U-turn and signed the agreement.