Despite the refusal of the Edo Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate for the upcoming Governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, not to sign peace accord in Benin City this Thursday following their accusation of bias on security agencies, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has promised a level playing field for all political parties and their candidates participating in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.
Speaking during the signing of the peace accord by political parties and their Candidates, Egbetokun assured that the police would collaborate with other security agencies to assist the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a free and fair election.
“We would remain impartial, professional and vigilant while providing a level playing ground for all the political parties and their candidate.”
He therefore called on all stakeholders to embrace peace, tolerance and respect to democracy, calling for synergy for a smooth election.
Though Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate for the election, Asue Ighodalo, did not sign, other parties including the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Monday Okpebholo, the Labour Party and its candidate Olumide Akpata as well as Accord Party, Accord Alliance, African Action Congress, and African Democratic Congress, Action Democratic Party signed the peace pact.
Others signatories are the All Progressives Grand Alliance Grand Alliance Grand Alliance (APGA), the Allied Peoples Movement, Action Peoples Party, Labour Party, National Rescue Movement, Peoples Redemption Party, the Social Democratic Party, Youth Party, the Young Progressives Party (YPP) among others.
Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar during the signing of the peace accord in Benin City, the Edo State capital, announced that the PDP opted not to commit to a peace pact.
“As you must have seen in the media, I met the Governor (Godwin Obaseki) yesterday and he told me that the PDP is not going to sign this peace accord.
“They have made some observations and I was expecting the Chairman of the PDP to come and make that statement. Having waited for him this long, it is just to announce that the PDP said they are not going to sign.”
According to him, the PDP said it would only sign the peace accord if certain conditions are met.
The Chairman of the PDP in the state, Tony Aziegbemi, who was present at the venue did not explain why the party refused to sign the accord.
Governor Obaseki had while receiving the former Head of State on Wednesday accused security operatives of favouring the APC, saying that the police had obtained warrants and arrested members of the PDP, essentially driving the leaders of the party into hiding.
“Until everybody (party members) arrested in Edo is released or brought back to Edo to be tried for whatever offences you claimed they have committed, we have no confidence that the police is going to protect us in this election,” Governor Obaseki said.
