Edo Guber Election: PDP Protests as 17 Parties Commit to Peace Accord

Edo State governorship election, seventeen out of eighteen political parties have signed a peace accord aimed at ensuring a non-violent electoral process.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), however, declined to sign the agreement, citing the arrest of ten of its members in Abuja.

Anthony Aziegbemi, the Chairman of Edo State PDP, and the party’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, were present at the signing ceremony but chose not to endorse the peace accord.

Aziegbemi explained their decision, stating, “We are here to register our protest before the peace committee and to say that the PDP will not sign a peace accord when 10 of our members have been arrested and detained by the police in Abuja.”

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, responded to these claims during a stakeholders meeting, asserting that he was unaware of any specific arrests targeting PDP members. “However, I am aware that individuals who committed crimes and political violence in the state have been arrested,” Egbetokun clarified.

The National Peace Committee, led by Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah and chaired by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, emphasized the importance of peace for credible elections. Kukah urged all candidates to view peace as foundational for a successful election, saying, “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.” Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar echoed these sentiments, highlighting the committee's ongoing efforts since its formation in 2014 to create an environment where Nigerians can vote without fear of violence or intimidation. “Without peace, none of the promises made to the people of Edo State can be fulfilled,” he noted.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, assured that INEC would continue to adhere to electoral laws and thanked the Peace Committee for facilitating the agreement among the political parties.

The Inspector-General of Police also pledged impartiality and professionalism in collaboration with other security agencies to support INEC in conducting the election. Interestingly, the All Progressives Congress (APC), which had initially announced plans to boycott the peace accord signing, eventually participated in the agreement.