By Abiola Olawale
The Edo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reversed its earlier decision to pull out of the National Peace Accord signing ahead of the September 21, 2024, governorship election.
The party initially announced its withdrawal from the peace accord signing over an alleged failure of the police to arrest those allegedly responsible for the killing of Inspector Akor Onu, one of the police officers attached to the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
However, the party was present at the peace accord signing exercise, which was held in Benin City and was organised by the National Peace Committee.
On the other hand, the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) pulled out of the national peace accord.
State chairmen and candidates of all the 17 participating political parties signed for their parties, while the chairman of the PDP, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi and the party’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, although present, did not sign.
Aziegbemi, who spoke to journalists at the venue, queried the usefulness of the peace accord signing, noting that “10 PDP members have been arrested in Gestapo style by the police and detained in Abuja without trial.”
He added: “We are more than ready for this election…But the police IG is the most biased in the annals of this country.
“We will not allow a biased IGP who is not from Edo State to determine the outcome of this election. We demand the immediate recall of any external policemen currently Marauding the State.”
Also speaking, the Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG), Joseph Eboigbe, who represented Governor Godwin Obaseki at the event, explained that the party will sign only after members of the party who were arrested are released by the police or charged to court.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the National Peace Committee, General Abdusalami Abubakar (rtd), in his welcome speech, noted that signing the accord “signifies readiness to place the interest of the people which you want to serve above individual or party ambitions.”
He urged all political actors and stakeholders to commit themselves to the cause of peace in Edo.
He said: “Elections are a pillar of democracy, and in democracy, there are no losers; only participants who play their part in advancing the will of the people they represent and serve.
“I appeal to the esteemed candidates, parties and their supporters to remember that peace is the foundation upon which progress and development is built and established. Without it, none of the promises made to the people of Edo state can be fulfilled.”
The New Diplomat reports that the Edo state resident registered voters are going to the polls to vote for the candidate of their choice on September 21, 2024.
Dr Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) are among the leading candidates for the top job of Edo State.
