“Breaking: APC Withdraws from Edo Election Peace Accord”

Babatunji Wusu –

In a surprising twist, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced it will not sign the Peace Accord just hours before the scheduled signing. This decision adds to the mounting tensions leading up to the September 21 governorship election.

The APC’s move stands in stark contrast to recent comments by Governor Godwin Obaseki, who, during a meeting with General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Chairman of the Presidential Peace Committee, hinted that his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) might also reconsider its commitment to the accord. Obaseki expressed a loss of confidence in the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as reasons for the PDP’s potential withdrawal.

At a press conference, Emperor Jarret Tenebe, representing the APC, detailed the party’s reasons for rejecting the peace agreement. He criticized the police for their failure to arrest those responsible for the murder of Inspector Onuh Akor, the security detail for APC candidate Sen. Monday Okpebholo. Despite former Commissioner of Police Funsho’s assurances that suspects had been identified, Tenebe claimed no arrests had been made and accused Governor Obaseki of sheltering the suspects within the government house.

Tenebe also accused Governor Obaseki and the PDP of using inflammatory rhetoric and neglecting to address attacks on APC members. He highlighted several incidents of violence against the APC campaign team across various local government areas and condemned Obaseki’s lack of response to these issues.

Moreover, Tenebe pointed to recent threats from Odion Olaye, Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress in Edo State, which he suggested contributed to the unstable atmosphere undermining the peace process.

In light of these concerns, Tenebe urged the police to take decisive action to address the violence and ensure that those involved in Inspector Akor’s murder are declared wanted. He underscored that the APC’s refusal to sign the peace accord reflects their perception of insufficient commitment to creating a fair and peaceful election environment.