The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has explained its decision not to sign the peace accord facilitated by the National Peace Committee, chaired by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
The party cited concerns about alleged police bias and a lack of confidence in the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, as key reasons for their refusal.
At a press conference held at the party’s secretariat, PDP Chairman Dr. Tony Aziegbiemi, along with gubernatorial candidate Dr. Asue Ighodalo, Director General of the Asue Ogie Campaign Management Council Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, and other party leaders, highlighted issues of harassment and arrest of party members.
They reported that 16 members have been either harassed or arrested, with five detained for over six weeks and six others declared wanted.
Aziegbiemi accused the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of colluding with the All Progressives Congress, APC, alleging that the APC is attempting to undermine the electoral process by introducing disturbing new elements.
“That Party and its senior officials have openly boasted about their intention to deploy ‘Federal Might’ to ensure victory despite the will or wishes of the Edo people.
“The situation has subsequently degenerated into an all-out reign of terror where members of the APC are acting as pointers for effecting the illegal arrest and rendition of the said PDP members without charge.”
He said the PDP would be ready to sign the pact if there is immediate and “unconditional release/production of all persons currently in unlawful custody or all these persons if alleged to have committed any crime should be immediately brought before a court of competent jurisdiction in compliance with all civilized constitutional processes.
“The immediate redeployment of the current Edo State Commissioner of Police, the current Resident Electoral Commissioner REC, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and their replacement with persons who can exhibit fairness and balance in the performance of their functions and who do not have any links to the contending parties or vested interests in the process
“The immediate recall of any external Police Team/Squad from Abuja or any other location in Nigeria currently marauding in Edo State, illegally arresting perceived political opponents and creating undue tension in the State.
“An undertaking and commitment by the Nigeria Police and INEC to operate a level playing field without allowing themselves to become a private army at the behest of one of the contending parties.”
Allnews.ng had yesterday reported that seventeen of the 18 political parties participating in the September 21 Edo governorship election have signed a peace accord ahead of the polls.
However, the PDP Chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi, and the party’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, did not sign the accord.
Aziegbemi explained that their refusal was due to the detention of 10 party members by the police in Abuja.