The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has declined to sign the peace accord ahead of the upcoming Edo governorship election, raising concerns over the potential for political tension during the polls.
For the Edo State Governorship election slated for September 21, The Peoples Democratic Party declined to append their signature on the peace accord.
At the location where the peace agreement was signed in Benin, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who held a previous position as Head of State, revealed this information on Thursday.
Expressing gratitude to those who signed the peace agreement, he conveyed that during his meeting with Governor Godwin Obaseki yesterday as reported by media outlets, it was disclosed that the PDP has no intention of endorsing this peace accord.
After making observations, I anticipated the PDP Chairman’s statement. However, given his prolonged absence, it is my duty to disclose that the party has decided against signing.
He stated that the PDP has declared its willingness to sign the peace accord on certain conditions being met.
The PDP State Chairman, who was in attendance at the location, failed to provide a reason for why the party declined to sign the accord.
On Wednesday, Governor Godwin Obaseki expressed that the PDP may not agree to sign the accord.
During his meeting with the National Peace Committee headed by former Head of State and respected statesman Abulsalami Abubakar, the governor uttered these words.
He blamed the security personnel of showing bias towards the All Progressives Congress, alleging that they had acquired arrest warrants and apprehended PDP affiliates, effectively forcing their top officials to conceal themselves.
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Governor Obaseki stated that he lacks faith in the police force to uphold security during this election unless any detained or accused party members from Edo are either released promptly, or taken back to be put under trial for their alleged offenses.
On the same day, Don-Pedro Obaseki, Deputy Director General of the PDP campaign, explained why his party refused to sign. This was during an interview on Politics Today.
While the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Mr Monday Okpebholo, along with the Labour Party and its candidate Mr Olumide Akpata signed the peace accord for the election, neither PDP nor their representative Mr. Asue Ighodalo did so.
The Accord Party, Accord Alliance, African Action Congress, African Democratic Congress and the Action Democratic Party are among the other signatories of the accord.
Among others, there are the All Progressives Congress (APC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Allied Peoples Movement, Action Peoples Party, Labour Party, National Rescue Movement, People’s Redemption Party, Social Democratic Party and Youth Party. Additionally included is Young Progressives Party (YPP).
Established in 2014, the National Peace Committee is a non-governmental organization consisting of distinguished leaders who aim to encourage impartial, open-minded, dependable and harmonious elections.
In the last decade, efforts made by the committee have focused on preventing disruptions in law and order during election periods. One of its noteworthy accomplishments involves facilitating peace treaty signings between political parties and candidates before elections commence.
The Chairman of the group is General Abubakar, while Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (Retired) holds the position of Vice Chairman. Bishop Mathew Kukah serves as the Convener and other notable members include Muhammadu Sa’ad III – Sultan of Sokoto and Alhaji Aliko Dangote amongst several others.
