Edo: PDP opts out as APC, 16 others commit to peace pact

Seventeen political parties on Thursday committed themselves to abide by the principles of the peace accord as Edo voters elect the next governor of the state next week Saturday.

While the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, and the party’s candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, were present at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub venue of the event, both expressed reservations about the exercise.

Aziegbemi, who spoke to journalists at the venue, questioned 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 biassed in the annals of this country.

“We will not allow a biassed 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.”

However, the All Progressives Congress (APC), which had earlier announced that it would not be party to the exercise, reversed its decision and committed to the peace deal.

Chairman of the APC in the state, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, told journalists that their fears had been allayed by the peace committee and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

According to him, “one of our demands was that those who attacked our candidate’s convoy and killed his police detail should be declared wanted and arrested.

“The police have promised that they will be apprehended. And it would also not be proper for us not to come because the chairman of the committee, General Abubakar Abdulsalami, is an elder statesman.”

The exercise was organised by the National Peace Committee, a group committed to a Nigeria that is built on peace, justice, and equality, where every citizen has the right to democratic participation.

In his welcome remarks, Chairman of the National Peace Committee (NPC), General Abdulsalami Abubakar, called on political parties and their candidates to “use the accord as a golden opportunity to set a positive example for other states and nations by demonstrating that they can disagree on policies and priorities but remain united in the love for the country and respect for the democratic process.”

Abubakar appealed to the candidates, parties, and their supporters to remember that peace is the foundation upon which progress and development are built and established.

He said that without peace, none of the promises made to the people of Edo State by the candidates could be fulfilled.

The former Head of State urged all political actors and stakeholders to commit themselves to the cause of peace in Edo State, adding that the signing of this peace accord signified their readiness to place the interest of the people they want to serve above individual or party ambitions.

He stated that the accord was “a commitment 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.”

“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.

“Today, as we stand on the gateway of yet another critical election in Edo State, we urge all political actors and stakeholders to commit themselves to the cause of peace in Edo State.

“The signing of this Peace Accord signifies your readiness to place the interest of the people you want to serve above individual or party ambitions.

“It is a commitment 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. 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 are built and established. Without it, none of the promises made to the people of Edo State can be fulfilled.

“Furthermore, we are grateful to all our partners, especially the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, civil society organisations, and the media, for their unwavering support in ensuring that this Peace Accord is not just symbolic but transformative for this nation.

“As we proceed today, let us all remember that the eyes of the nation, and indeed the world, are upon us.

“We have the golden opportunity to set a positive example for other states and nations by demonstrating that we can disagree on policies and priorities but remain united in our love for our country and respect for the democratic process.

“I encourage everyone to uphold this commitment beyond the elections, for peace is not an event but a continuous process for all.”

He added that since the formation of the National Peace Committee in 2014, it has worked tirelessly to foster an environment where every Nigerian could exercise their constitutional right to vote without fear of violence or intimidation.

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, assured political parties and candidates that the commission would continue to play its part according to the law and best practices as articulated in the clauses of the National Peace Accord.

He told political parties and candidates that “it is your signatures on the peace document that will guarantee a peaceful election,” saying “it is your commitment to its implementation that is critical.

“Therefore, as you sign the peace accord, commit yourselves to the implementation and terms of the accord and pass the message to your supporters at all levels for compliance.

“This is the best way to honour the effort and sacrifice of the Chairman and members of the NPC for peaceful elections,” Yakubu noted.