September 12, (THEWILL) – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, have declined to sign the Peace Accord initiated by the National Peace Committee (NPC), led by former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) for the political parties and gubernatorial candidates.
Governor Godwin Obaseki had on Wednesday, questioned the essence of a peace accord when an umpire showed bias and open support for the All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of the build-up to the governorship.
Speaking when he received the Chairman of the NPC at the Government House in Benin City, the Governor alleged PDP members are being harassed and detained by the police in Edo state and Abuja.
Also, the Chairman of the party in the State, Anthony Aziegbemi, claimed on Wednesday that the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Anugbum Onuoha, and the Commissioner of Police, CP Nemi Edwin-Iwo, are a close associate of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Making its threat to boycott the Peace Pact a reality on Thursday, the PDP and its governorship candidate, Ighodalo, withheld their signatures to the peace pact document.
Rather, they approached the podium where the signing took place with a two-page petition detailing their grievances, which was rejected.
Speaking to newsmen, Aziegbemi said they rejected the peace pact because members of the PDP are being harassed and detained by the Police in Edo state and the FCT.
Meanwhile, the APC and its governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, have signed the peace accord along with 15 other political parties.
The state chapter of the party in a statement, said: “This monumental gesture reaffirms Senator Okpebholo’s dedication to ensuring a fair, transparent, and violence-free election.
“As a man of integrity and accountability, Senator Okpebholo believes that true progress for Edo can only be built on the foundation of peace and unity.”
