In a surprising turn of events, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has refused to sign the peace accord ahead of the highly anticipated Edo State Governorship election, slated for September 21. The announcement came from former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), during a formal ceremony held in Benin on Thursday. The peace accord, traditionally seen as a binding commitment by political parties to ensure peaceful elections, was aimed at curbing potential electoral violence, but the PDP’s decision has now raised concerns over the credibility and fairness of the forthcoming election.
General Abubakar, who chairs the National Peace Committee, expressed his disappointment at the PDP’s refusal, noting that all major political parties, except the PDP, had already appended their signatures to the accord. According to him, the PDP had indicated its willingness to sign the peace agreement but only under certain unspecified conditions. “The PDP has expressed that it is not entirely opposed to the peace accord but insists on certain conditions being met before it signs,” Abubakar revealed during the event. The nature of these conditions remains unclear, sparking widespread speculation among political observers and stakeholders.
The absence of the PDP’s state chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, from the signing ceremony further deepened the uncertainty. Aziegbemi, who was expected to be present, neither attended the event nor offered any official reason for the party’s decision to abstain from the accord. Many political analysts are now questioning whether internal disputes or strategic maneuvering may be at play within the PDP, possibly contributing to their reluctance.
On Wednesday, Governor Godwin Obaseki had already hinted at this development during a meeting with members of the National Peace Committee. The governor, speaking candidly, noted that his party, the PDP, may not participate in the signing of the peace accord unless certain issues were addressed. While Obaseki refrained from elaborating on the specific demands, he pointed out that the party had raised concerns about the neutrality of some key election stakeholders and called for assurances that the electoral process would be free from external interference.
“The peace accord is a good initiative, but we need guarantees that the election will be transparent and that no one is using the peace accord as a cover for planned malpractices,” Obaseki reportedly stated during the meeting. He further emphasized that the PDP would not be bullied into signing an agreement that did not reflect its concerns about the integrity of the election.
The refusal to sign the accord has cast a shadow over the upcoming election, with many questioning what impact this might have on the peaceful conduct of the polls. The peace accord, historically championed by the National Peace Committee, has been instrumental in reducing tensions and ensuring electoral discipline across Nigeria. The absence of the PDP from this commitment, particularly in a state with a history of heated political rivalries, has raised fears of possible violence or unrest.
Political observers now await further developments, hoping that last-minute efforts to mediate the situation will bring the PDP back to the negotiating table. Meanwhile, the APC and other political parties have reiterated their commitment to upholding the peace accord, urging their members to maintain decorum as the election approaches.
With the clock ticking toward the election date, all eyes remain on the PDP and its next move. Will the party reconsider its stance and sign the accord, or will it continue to withhold its participation, potentially setting the stage for a tense and unpredictable election? The stakes are high, and the nation watches closely.
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