Oppositions sign peace accord ahead of Edo guber

In Benin City, the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) initially refused to sign the Peace Accord for the September 21 governorship election but later reversed their decision. Acting Chairman Emperor Jarret Tenebe and the APC candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, signed the accord due to their respect for General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the National Peace Committee chairman, and Bishop Hassan Kukah.

In contrast, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) declined to sign. Governor Godwin Obaseki suggested that the PDP would only sign if 16 party members and leaders arrested by the police were released. PDP Chairman Dr. Tony Aziegbemi criticized the peace accord’s usefulness, citing the arrest of PDP members and accusing the police of bias. The Secretary to the Edo State Government, Joseph Eboigbe, stated that the PDP would sign the accord once their members were released or charged.

General Abubakar, in his speech, emphasized that signing the accord demonstrated a commitment to prioritizing public interest over individual or party ambitions and called for peace as essential for democratic progress and development.