From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
Ahead of next Saturday governorship election in Edo state, the Chairman, National Peace Committee and also the former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) has appealed to all the political parties and their candidates to desist from and acts that may lead to political violence in the state.
Speaking on Thursday at Signing of the Peace Accord by political parties and their governorship candidates held at Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, Benin City, Abubakar said the importance of the Peace Accord cannot be over emphasized.
Accord to him, the NPC is committed to the peaceful conduct of elections in Nigeria, pointing out that his committee is favourably disposed to see a peaceful election in the country including Edo state.
He noted that the signing of the Peace Accord is to signify their readiness for the interest in the people that they want to serve, advising that elections are the pillars of democracy and in democracy there are no losers hence it should not be a do or die affair.
Also in his remarks, the NPC convener and a Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Most Reverend Father Matthew Hassan Kukah pleaded with the political actors to eschew acts of violence and hooliganism as nothing will be achieved in the atmosphere of chaos.
Speaking at occasion, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun reassured the contestants and their political parties that Police and other sister security agencies have pledged their neutrality and impartiality to the successful conduct of Edo state governorship election.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Mahmood Yakubu has assured that his Commission is fully prepared to peaceful, free, fair and credible election in Edo state.
According to the INEC Chairman,”For us as the election management body, I want to assure political parties and candidates that we will continue to play our part according to the law and best practice as articulated in the clauses of the National Peace Accord that we are about to commit ourselves to.
“I appeal to political parties and candidates to note that it is not your signatures on the peace document that will guarantee peaceful election. It is your commitment to its implementation that is critical.
“Therefore, as you sign the Peace Accord, commit yourselves to the implementation and terms of the accord and pass the message to your supporters at all levels for compliance. This is the best way to honour the effort and sacrifice of the Chairman and members of the NPC to peaceful elections,” he further stated .
The 17 political parties including the APC, Labour Party and others with the exception of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were on Thursday being 12th September,2024 agreed to signed a peace accord and have also agreed to abide by the principles and guidelines of peace accord as they are going to elect the next governor of the state scheduled for 21st of this month.
However, the PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo and the Party Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi were at the signing ceremony but expressed their aggressive to Journalists over the police attitudes in the political affairs of the State.
According to the PDP Chairman of Edo State,” 10 PDP members have been arrested in gestapo style by the police and detained in Abuja without trial.
“We are More than ready for this election but the police IG is not from Edo State to determine the outcome of the election. We demand the immediate recall of any external policemen currently marauding the state,” he said.
