Seventeen of the 18 political parties participating in the September 21 Edo governorship election have signed a peace accord ahead of the polls.
However, the PDP Chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi, and the party’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, did not sign the accord. Aziegbemi explained that their refusal was due to the detention of 10 party members by the police in Abuja.
He stated, “We are here to protest before the peace committee and to express that the PDP will not sign the peace accord while our members remain in police custody.”
This development comes despite Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun’s assertion during a Wednesday stakeholders’ meeting that he was unaware of the PDP members’ arrests in the state.
“However, I am aware that individuals who committed crimes and political violence in the state have been arrested, ” Egbetokun said.
Meanwhile, ahead of this month’s off-cycle governorship election in Edo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced the deadline for the collection of Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, by three days.
A statement issued in Abuja and signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, disclosed that the decision was sequel to an appeal by stakeholders at a meeting held on Wednesday in Benin, the Edo state capital.
(Vanguard)
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