Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has announced that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, will officially sign the Peace Accord ahead of the upcoming gubernatorial election. This decision was revealed in a statement made by Governor Obaseki on Tuesday.
The announcement follows a crucial closed-door meeting of the party’s caucus, where key issues concerning the election were discussed and resolved.
The decision to sign the Peace Accord marks a significant shift in the party’s stance towards the election. Initially, there were threats from the PDP to boycott the election due to concerns over fairness and the security of their members.
However, these concerns have been addressed following new assurances from both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Newsmen reported that the state PDP chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi, along with Governor Obaseki, decided to withdraw their earlier threats to boycott the election.
This change of position was influenced by the recent commitments made by the INEC and the Inspector General of Police. The INEC has promised to ensure a level playing field for all political parties and candidates, while the Inspector General of Police has assured enhanced security measures to prevent any form of electoral malpractice or violence.
In his statement on social media, Governor Obaseki expressed gratitude towards both the INEC Chairman and the Police IG for their reassurances. “After a closed-door meeting with our party caucus, we wish to extend our thanks to the Police IG and the INEC Chairman for their promises to provide a fair and level playing field in the gubernatorial election scheduled for Saturday,” Obaseki said.
He emphasized the party’s readiness for the election and their confidence in their candidates. According to Obaseki, the PDP believes their candidates are the most qualified and capable of leading the state effectively.
Obaseki also expressed hope that with the courts resuming their sessions, all PDP members who have been detained in Abuja would be either released or granted bail soon. The Governor stated that the release or bail of these detained members is a crucial factor in their decision to sign the Peace Accord. “We are hopeful that with the courts back in session, our members who have been detained will be reunited with their families soon. On this basis, we will proceed to sign the Peace Accord,” he added.
The signing of the Peace Accord is expected to foster a more peaceful and orderly electoral process. It signifies a commitment from all parties involved to uphold the principles of fair play and mutual respect during the election. The PDP’s decision to sign the accord underscores their dedication to ensuring a smooth and transparent electoral process in Edo State.
