The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) eventually signed the agreement to ensure a peaceful governorship election in the state on September 21.
Tribune Online reports that the APC, during a press conference addressed by its State Chairman, Emperor Jaret Tenebe, had stated that it was unwilling to sign the Peace Accord due to the police’s failure to arrest the suspects involved in the killing of Inspector Akor Anuh, one of the security personnel attached to APC’s governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on July 18, 2024, along Airport Road, Benin City.
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However, at the signing ceremony held at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, the APC, represented by Tenebe and its governorship candidate, Senator Okpebholo, ultimately signed the Peace Accord.
In contrast, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) maintained its refusal to sign the accord.
Governor Godwin Obaseki had, during his meeting with General Abubakar on Wednesday, stated that the PDP would not sign the agreement, citing police bias against the party.
The governor, while recounting the police’s alleged harassment of PDP members across the state, argued that the party would not sign the accord because the police, expected to enforce the agreement, were already siding with the APC.
This position was reiterated by the PDP State Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, who accused both the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of bias.
At the signing ceremony, Dr. Aziegbemi and the PDP governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, refused to sign the Peace Accord. The PDP stated that its decision was based on the alleged partisan actions of the Nigeria Police Force.
Speaking to journalists at the event, chaired by General Abubakar, Aziegbemi explained that despite the numerous incidents reported in the public domain, the police had been arresting PDP members while APC-affiliated individuals roamed freely in Edo State.
TheWitness
