Less than two hours before the scheduled signing of the Peace Accord for the Edo State governorship election on September 21, the All Progressives Congress (APC) announced its refusal to sign.
This decision follows similar concerns expressed by Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who suggested that the PDP may not sign the peace accord due to a loss of faith in the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
During a press conference at the APC secretariat, Emperor Jarret Tenebe explained that the party’s refusal stems from unresolved security issues, particularly the killing of Police Inspector Onuh Akor, the orderly to APC candidate Sen. Monday Okpebholo.
Tenebe criticized the police for failing to arrest the suspects, despite claims from the former Commissioner of Police that the names of the culprits were known. He also alleged that Governor Obaseki is harboring the suspects at the government house.
Tenebe further accused Governor Obaseki and the PDP of instigating attacks on APC members, citing incidents at rally grounds and private businesses. He pointed out that the governor has made inflammatory statements that undermine his role as the state’s Chief Security Officer and that Obaseki has remained silent on the attacks.
The APC campaign team, according to Tenebe, has faced multiple attacks in various communities, including Akoko-Edo, Etsako Central, and Esan West local government areas, while mobilizing supporters for the upcoming election. Despite these challenges, the police have not acted on the party’s petitions.
Tenebe emphasized that for the APC to sign the peace accord, the police must take steps to declare those involved in the killing of Inspector Akor as wanted. Without this assurance, the party remains unwilling to commit to the peace process.
