EDO ELECTION: Obaseki sets conditions for signing peace agreement

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has delayed the release of some arrested members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a condition for his party to reach a peace agreement, ahead of the upcoming governorship election in the state.

After a caucus meeting at Government House in Benin on Monday, Obaseki said, “If they are given guarantees, allowed to return home to be with their families and participate in the democratic process, we will consider signing a peace agreement.”

He expressed optimism about his party’s victory in Saturday’s election.

Obaseki commended the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetoku, and the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, for their commitment to free and fair elections. “We are pleased with the recent statements from the security agencies… ensuring a level playing field for all.”

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Confident of the party’s preparations, Obaseki urged leaders to mobilize support across the state. “We want to say that we are ready for this election… our leaders have assured me that they will be back home to clear the hurdles on Saturday.”

On Thursday, all political parties participating in the Edo election signed a peace accord to avoid violence before, during and after the polls, but the PDP refused to participate in what has become a pre-election ritual in Nigeria’s electoral space.

Former Head of State, General Adulsalami Abubakar, who is the chairman of the Peace Committee said that PDP chieftains and the outgoing governor (Obaseki) said his party would not sign the peace pact because of some allegations leveled against the police.

The PDP chairman in the state, Tony Aziegbemi, also stormed out of the peace pact venue in protest on Thursday.

He told reporters on his way out that a member of his party who is also the Chairman of Esan West Local Government, Collins Aigbogu, was arrested by the police a few days ago and is yet to be released.

The governor also firmly said his party would not sign the peace pact, given the police bias against other parties also participating in the election.

EDO ELECTIONS: Obaseki sets conditions for signing peace deal first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.