A sense of uneasy tension looms over Edo State as the governorship election draws near. The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the main opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC), are on the brink of conflict.
On September 12, the PDP declined to sign the Peace Accord, orchestrated by the National Peace Accord Committee (NPAC) and led by former military Head of State, General Abdusalami Abubakar (Rtd). The party cited various reasons such as arbitrary arrests of its members and biased actions by the Nigerian Police. However, they listed specific conditions that need to be met before agreeing to sign the Peace Accord.
The Edo State PDP Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, called for the release of ten party members, including the chairman of Esan West Local Government Area, Hon Collins Aigbogun, who were arrested and brought to Abuja. He also demanded the redeployment of the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Onugbum Onuoha, and the State Commissioner of Police, CP Nemi Edwin-Iwo, due to their close ties with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Furthermore, the PDP demanded the immediate replacement of the current Edo State Commissioner of Police and Resident Electoral Commissioner with individuals who can demonstrate fairness and impartiality in carrying out their duties, without any affiliations to the contending parties. They also called for the recall of any external Police Team/Squad currently operating in Edo State without legal authority to create unnecessary tension.
The PDP stressed the need for the Nigeria Police and INEC to operate on a level playing field and not act as a private army for any political party.
The APC, on the other hand, affirmed their determination to win the election by any means necessary. A prominent member of the party mentioned their unwillingness to allow Governor Obaseki to hand over power to his preferred successor, Asue Ighodalo. Allegedly, during the previous local government election, Governor Obaseki used his influence to control all 18 local government areas and even denied the victory of their candidate in Etsako Central, favoring the PDP.
Reliable sources from both camps indicate that the two parties are prepared to face each other, whether through violent or non-violent means.
