With just six days before the Edo State governorship election, an uneasy quietude has settled over the state, as two of the three major political parties, the ruling Peoples Democratic party (PDP) and the main opposition, the All Progressives Congress (APC) are spoiling for war.
Recall that the PDP had on Thursday, September 12, declined to sign the Peace Accord initiated by the National Peace Accord Committee (NPAC), under the leadership of the former military Head of State , General Abdusalami Abubakar (Rtd). The party cited indiscriminate arrest of members, bias on the part of the Nigerian Police among reasons why it does not want to sign the peace pact. However, the party listed conditions to be met for it to sign the Peace pact. Speaking to journalists ,the Edo State PDP Chairman, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, said that 10 of its members ( including the chairman of Esan West Local Government Area , Hon Collins Aigbogun), arrested and taken to Abuja should be released. He also maintained that the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Onugbum Onuoha, and the State Commissioner of Police, CP Nemi Edwin-Iwo, should be redeployed. Aziegbemi said the close ties between the officers and the FCT Minister,Nyesom Wike were too close to be ignored. He said. “The PDP demands the immediate redeployment the current Edo State Commissioner of Police. (b) 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.
“We wish to state that our party and our candidates have the utmost confidence in the goodwill and peaceloving nature of Edo people and we are willing to submit Success Nwogu The Secretary-General of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, (OPEC), Haitham Al Ghais, has said that Nigeria has played a pivotal role since the country joined the cartel in 1971. He also said Nigeria has been a steadfast supporter of OPEC’s mission to ensure a stable and balanced global oil market. He expressed deep gratitude to the country and President Bola Tinubu for their unwavering support of the organization. These were contained in his message to commemorate OPEC’s 64th anniverourselves to their democratic choice under a free, fair and untainted process.
At present, it is clear that the basis for peace and the conduct of a peaceful election are not in place. Accordingly, once the conditions presented above have been met, we will be ready to immediately make ourselves available to sign the Peace Accord. ” Earlier. an APC chieftain, who pleaded for anonymity said: “The APC will use everything within its means to ensure the party wins the election.” He said: “The party would not fold its hands to see Governor Obaseki plant his godson, Asue Ighodalo.” According to him: “The All Progressives Congress(APC) will use everything within its means to ensure we win this election. I am happy Obaseki is crying for once!! We will not wait to see Obaseki plant his godson, Asue Ighodalo in Edo Government House. “During the last year local government election, Obaseki used the state might to take over the 18 local government areas. Even our man that won in Etsako Central, Obaseki denied him and gave it to PDP.” . Reliable sources from the two camps said the two parties are both ready to confront each other in whatever form, be it violence or otherwise.
