Hope for a peaceful governorship election in Edo State on September 21 is at risk after Governor Godwin Obaseki suggested that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) might not sign the Peace Accord. This agreement was intended to ensure a smooth electoral process among all political parties.
Governor Obaseki voiced his concerns during a meeting with Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar (RTD), the Chairman of the Peace Committee (NPC), at the Government House. He expressed worries that the PDP might boycott the Peace Accord due to perceived bias from the police, who are responsible for enforcing the agreement. Obaseki accused the police of showing favoritism towards the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and targeting PDP members.
In addition, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, the Edo State Chairman of the PDP, raised alarms about the involvement of associates of former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike in the election. He criticized the appointment of Wike’s allies as the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) and the Edo Commissioner of Police, suggesting that their connections could unfairly influence the election.
Obaseki further lamented the police’s actions, accusing them of being one-sided. He reported that the police had arrested several PDP leaders, including Collins Aigbogun, the Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area, and taken them to Abuja. Obaseki criticized these actions as violating proper procedures and undermining his role as Chief Security Officer of the state.
The governor also noted that despite his efforts to address these issues with the Edo State Commissioner of Police, his concerns were ignored, which he said further weakened his authority. He criticized the police for not handling arrests within the state and for not addressing petitions submitted by the PDP regarding harassment of its leaders.
Obaseki questioned how the PDP could agree to a Peace Accord under such conditions and demanded the immediate return of PDP members arrested by the police. He expressed doubts about the police’s ability to protect all parties during the election and suggested that the current situation points to a potentially violent election influenced by intimidation.
Aziegbemi echoed these concerns, stating that the election might be compromised due to the involvement of Wike’s associates. He criticized their appointments and warned that it could lead to unfair practices in the election.
Meanwhile, the APC had planned a press conference to discuss these issues but canceled it after a stakeholder meeting with INEC and the police. An APC official stated that the party was satisfied with the neutrality shown by INEC and the police and would address any further concerns if necessary.
