Candidates of different political parties in Edo State signed a Peace Accord barely three days tothe governorship election in the state on Tuesday.
The deal was organised by the YIAGA Africa’s board and National Peace Committee in Benin City, the state capital.
In attendance were the Chairman, National Peace Committee and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), a member of the committee and Catholic Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah; Godwin Obaseki, Governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), and Chief David Edebiri, a representative of Oba of Benin, among others.
Also, members of the political, traditional and religious circles witnessed the signing, at least to pave way for the smooth conduct of the exercise.
Edo Governor Obaseki said “I have no choice. I will live by the spirit and letter of the accord. I want to end my speech that the committee should not end with signing of the accord. Reach out to others and persuade to follow. The accord behoves the candidates and the non-political actors to maintain peace during and after the election”
Pastor Ize-Iyamu said “We are appreciative of the IGP, General Abubakar and the Oba of Benin. We want to assure Nigerians that we will do our best to ensure the election is peaceful and that is the only way to sustain our democracy.”
The Edo governorship election will hold on Thursday, September 19, 2020 as announced by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
