- The Edo State PDP withdraws from the National Peace Accord, citing police bias and recent arrests of party leaders ahead of elections
- PDP leaders criticize the peace accord’s effectiveness, demanding accountability from Hon. Aliyu Garu regarding his actions in the National Assembly
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) announced it would withdraw from the National Peace Accord for the September 21 governorship election, citing alleged police bias.
At the event, state chairmen and candidates from 17 political parties signed the peace accord. Still, PDP Chairman Dr. Tony Aziegbemi and the party’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, though present, chose not to sign.
Governor Godwin Obaseki indicated that the PDP might not sign the Peace Accord, accusing the police of favouring the All Progressives Congress (APC) and waging a campaign against the PDP. Obaseki claimed that the police, allegedly manipulated by the APC, arrested at least 10 PDP leaders who were considered significant opponents in the upcoming election. He questioned how they could sign a peace accord with an umpire already displaying bias.
Dr. Tony Aziegbemi criticized the peace accord’s relevance, pointing out that 10 PDP members had been arrested and detained without trial. He further accused the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of bias and demanded the recall of external police officers currently deployed in Edo State.
The Chairman of the Peace Accord Committee, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, emphasized that signing the Peace Accord demonstrated a commitment to peaceful campaigning free of hate speech, incitement, and violence and to accepting the election outcome as long as it was fair and credible.
Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun assured the police would remain impartial, professional, and vigilant while ensuring a level playing field for all political parties and their candidates. He called on stakeholders to promote peace, tolerance, and respect for the democratic process to create a safe environment for a credible, fair, and peaceful election.