The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the Peace Accord for the upcoming Edo state election, labelling it a “death trap”.
The party’s leadership expressed outrage and frustration over the developments in Edo state, citing victimization, brutality, intimidation, and arrests of their members by security forces.
According to the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, the PDP cannot sign a Peace Accord that will compromise their safety and security.
He said the party cannot be victimized, brutalized, intimidated, and arrested by the security and yet sign a Peace Accord.
Damagum said, “So, as regards the signing of the peace accord, nobody is shirking responsibility. Rather, we are pointing out to Nigerians that there is something suspicious under this APC-led administration, with police being paid with taxpayers’ money.”
When asked whether they would participate in the election, the PDP Acting National Chairman stated, “We are going to participate. We will come out in mass, and we will defend our votes with our blood.
“Let them be very, very clear about that. We could not sign or be part of it because we gave conditions, and it is their responsibility to ensure that these conditions are met. If they arbitrarily arrest members of only one particular party, then that means there is something you do not know. So, what peace are we signing for?.”
Damagum further added: “The IGP should immediately redeploy the Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Nemo Edwin-Iwo, so as to guarantee confidence, peace and security during the Edo State governorship election.
“The IGP should immediately release all members of the PDP being detained by the Police. The IGP should desist from interfering in the activities of the Edo State Security Corps, a body lawfully established under the law.
“The PDP demands that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, immediately redeploy the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, from the State, especially now that people are already agitated against this obnoxious appointment.”
National Publicity Secretary Hon. Debo Ologunagba further highlighted the party’s stance.
He said, “We cannot sign a Peace Accord that takes us to death.”
Recall that Governor Godwin Obaseki had also threatened not to sign the accord, citing a lack of trust in the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Seventeen of the 18 political parties contesting the September 21 Edo governorship election have signed a peace accord. The PDP has refused to sign the accord.
