QuickRead: Parties sign peace deal in Edo. Four other stories we’re watching and why they matter

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced last week that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and 15 other political parties contesting the Edo State governorship election would sign a peace agreement ahead of the exercise on September 12.

In the same week, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai slammed the politics of bitterness and jealousy in the state.

This story and three others we tracked dominated public discourse in the country last week.

1. The parties who signed the peace agreement in Edo

On August 29, INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said all 16 political parties participating in the Edo State governorship election would sign a peace agreement ahead of the exercise on September 12.

The parties taking part in the elections scheduled for September 16 are the Accord Party, Action Alliance, African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Congress (APC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

Others are the People’s Action Party (APP), Boot Party, Labour Party, New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), National Rescue Movement (NRM), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Young Progressive Party (YPP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Yakubu stated this at an extraordinary meeting with political parties on the election in Abuja.

He said: “You may notice that unlike previous peace agreements which were signed a few days before the election, the KPU decided to do it earlier this time.

“This is done so that the Peace Committee can monitor compliance with the code of ethics voluntarily signed by political parties, candidates, and other important stakeholders in the election process such as the KPU and security forces during the remaining election days.”

Why this is important

The increasing cases of violence recorded during Nigeria’s election cycle have called into question the so-called peace agreement brokered by the Abdulsalami Abubakar-led National Peace Committee.

Cases of violence reported since election preparations began have raised concerns about the conduct of the election.

This thus confirms concerns that the peace agreement may be a ruse and that violence and intolerance are still deeply embedded in the country’s political space.

Beyond this jamboree, it is time for the government to take additional steps to prevent politicians from corrupting the electoral process for their own benefit.

2. El-Rufai slams ‘jealousy’ in Nigerian politics

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai on August 31 slammed what he called “jealousy” among Nigeria’s political class.

His comments come amid allegations of corruption and misuse of funds during his eight-year tenure as the state’s governor.

In a lengthy post on platform X, the former governor dismissed the allegations and described envy as an “incurable disease” common among the political class.

He expressed doubt that envy could be cured and stressed the need to confront and destroy it for Nigeria to achieve greatness.

The caption reads: “WEEKEND REFLECTION: “NONE of us must fail for ALL of us to succeed. And in unity there is strength.” – @VP Kamala Harris, US Vice President (2021-2024) and Democratic Presidential Nominee at the Democratic National Convention.

“The above quote made me ponder the meaning and implications for our situation in Nigeria. Envy requires EVERYONE to fail so that ONE can succeed.

“Envy is quite common among the main actors in our political system. Competence, capacity and commitment are some of the personal leadership qualities that invite envy from those who lack or do not possess these indicators.”

Why this is important

The former governor’s remarks show that many people view politics, especially in Nigeria, as “a dirty game not meant for good people.”

This is a game that requires you to hurt yourself with a “long spoon” to eat with the “devil” in the country’s political space.

However, El-Rufai’s plight is an indication that he is no longer in favour with President Bola Tinubu’s government and his party, and only divine intervention can calm the situation in the months leading up to the next general elections.

3. Wike warns PDP governors to stay out of Rivers affairs

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike on August 31 warned Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors against interfering in the Rivers State political crisis.

PDP governors during a meeting in Taraba State on August 23 reiterated their support to their Rivers State counterpart, Siminalayi Fubara, over the crisis in the oil-rich state.

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Wike, who spoke during the PDP state congress held at the party secretariat in Port Harcourt, vowed that he would not allow anyone to take over the party structure in Rivers State.

Wike said: “I assure you all, no one will take over the PDP structure from us as long as we live. However, I want to tell people, I heard some governors saying they will take over the structure and give it back to someone.

“I pity those governors because I will burn their states. When God has given you peace, you say you don’t want peace – whatever you see, you take.”

Why this is important

This latest statement highlights the former governor’s grip on the PDP political structure in Rivers State.

The situation in Rivers is particularly difficult to understand because for the first time in Nigerian history someone is holding two major political parties hostage because of their past contributions.

While Wike wooed the All Progressives Congress (APC), he held the reins of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), leaving the party leadership in a dilemma on what to do with him.

Developments in Rivers have strengthened calls for a tougher approach to unite all the warring forces and give the state a new lease of life after the rancour of the past 12 months.

4. Former governor blames purchase of presidential jet

Former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke on August 31 condemned the Federal Government’s acquisition of a new presidential plane.

Duke, who appeared on Channels Television’s “Inside Sources,” urged President Bola Tinubu to view the Nigerian nation as his family.

He emphasized that a leader’s priorities must be aligned with the needs of the people.

He said: “Buying a new plane or yacht or living a lavish life is a failure. You cannot have hungry children and you live a lavish life, going to parties and wearing the biggest agbada.

“If life is hard, then I feel like I have failed to provide for them or do the things I should have done. I would ask him (Tinubu) to see the Nigerian nation as his family. What is good for his family is good for the nation.”

Why this is important

The purchase of new jets amidst unprecedented hardship in the country is a crowning failure of leadership and the former governor’s statement resonated with Nigerians regarding their opinion of the current administration.

This highlights the culture of bad governance in Nigeria, with citizens becoming more determined to hold their leaders to account and end years of bad governance that have devastated the country.

5. Boko Haram kills three at Yobe school

Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents on August 30 attacked the Faudiya Islamic Boarding School in Geidam, Yobe State, killing three students.

State police spokesman Dungus Abdulkarim confirmed the incident to reporters in Damaturu.

He said: “Yes, there was an attack on Faudiya Islamic School in Geidam, the headquarters of Geidam local government. The school belongs to the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (Shia).”

“When the police received an emergency call and rushed to the school, they found a total of 3 students dead, while 1 student was injured and is currently receiving medical treatment at Geidam Specialist Hospital.”

Why this is important

This latest incident once again shows how fragile the country’s security architecture is, which urgently needs to be repaired to prevent the country from collapsing into total anarchy.

QuickRead post: Parties to sign peace deal in Edo. Four other stories we’re tracking and why they matter first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.