Headline: Edo Governorship Election: PDP’s Refusal to Sign Peace Accord Raises Concerns Ahead of September 21 Poll
The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) decision not to sign the peace accord ahead of the Edo State governorship election on September 21 has sparked reactions and concern in the state. The party’s leadership cited the alleged arrest and detention of its members by the police as the reason for its refusal to sign the accord.
The party’s state chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi, and its governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, were present at the peace accord signing ceremony but declined to follow suit. Aziegbemi accused the police of arresting and detaining PDP members and said the party would not sign a peace accord while its members were being treated unfairly.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) expressed concern over the PDP’s refusal to sign the accord, which was meant to ensure a peaceful and free governorship election. INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, appealed to the PDP to have a change of heart and sign the accord.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has threatened to pull out of the peace accord due to what it described as the police’s inability to arrest members of other parties responsible for attacks on APC members. The APC also accused the PDP of planning to derail the election.
The Labour Party’s Public Relations Officer, Sam Uruopa, also expressed concern over the refusal of the PDP to sign the accord, citing the violence that had marred previous elections in the state.
The PDP, however, has given conditions for its participation in the election, including the immediate recall of external police teams from Abuja and the commitment of the Nigeria Police and INEC to operate a level playing field.
The national chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum, vowed that the party would defend its votes with blood and accused the APC of attempting to infiltrate and compromise INEC.
Abdulsalami Abubakar, the national chairman of the National Peace Committee, urged the PDP to sign the peace accord and expressed hope that the party would take advantage of the olive branch extended to it.
In a related development, INEC is set to meet with transport unions on Friday to discuss logistics for the upcoming election. The meeting is part of INEC’s efforts to ensure the smooth conduct of the election by addressing potential logistical challenges.
The meeting comes amidst growing concern over the availability and cost of transportation for the timely distribution of election materials and the movement of INEC staff and security personnel.
Key Points:
- The PDP has refused to sign the peace accord ahead of the Edo State governorship election, citing the alleged arrest and detention of its members by the police.
- INEC expressed concern over the PDP’s refusal to sign the accord and appealed to the party to have a change of heart.
- The APC has threatened to pull out of the peace accord due to what it described as the police’s inability to arrest members of other parties responsible for attacks on APC members.
- The PDP has given conditions for its participation in the election, including the immediate recall of external police teams from Abuja and the commitment of the Nigeria Police and INEC to operate a level playing field.
- INEC is set to meet with transport unions on Friday to discuss logistics for the upcoming election.
- The meeting comes amidst growing concern over the availability and cost of transportation for the timely distribution of election materials and the movement of INEC staff and security personnel.
