The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has refused to sign a peace accord aimed at ensuring a violence-free governorship election in Edo State, despite the presence of other political parties and stakeholders.
Former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar Expresses Disappointment
The refusal by the PDP to sign the accord has been met with disappointment from Former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar, who chairs the National Peace Committee (NPC).
PDP’s Conditions for Signing the Accord
According to Mr. Abubakar, the PDP refused to sign the accord unless certain conditions are met. The party’s chairman in the state was absent from the venue, leaving Governor Godwin Obaseki’s earlier statement as the only indication of the party’s stance.
Dramatic Scene at Signing Ceremony
In a dramatic turn of events, the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, and the party’s chairman in Edo State, Anthony Aziegbemi, approached the podium with a two-page petition but refused to sign the accord when invited to do so by the NPC Convener, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Reverend Father Mathew Hassan Kukah.
PDP Chieftains Attempt to Submit Petition
PDP officials attempted to hand over the petition to Bishop Kukah, but he politely declined and asked them to leave the podium.
Other Parties Sign Accord
Despite the PDP’s refusal, 17 other political parties contesting the election appended their signatures to the document, pledging to maintain peace and decorum during the electoral process.
Importance of the Peace Accord
The peace accord is a commitment by political parties and stakeholders to conduct campaigns free of hate speech, incitement, and violence, and to accept the outcome of the votes as long as it is adjudged to be free, fair, and credible.
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