The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday said that the party did not sign the Peace Accord, initiated by the National Peace Committee, because the conditions which the party gave to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were not honoured.
The party said that the police and security agencies paidwith tax payers money took position and are working against the interest of thepeople.
The National Chairman of PDP, Umar Damagum, in a press conference on Thursday called for immediate redeploy of the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Nemo Edwin-Iwo, so as to guarantee confidence, peace and security during the EdoState governorship election.
While explaining that the party will participate fully in the election and defend their votes “with their blood” he said that the party would not sign an accord when government institution are doing things that willnot guarantee peace and level playing ground during the election.
He said: “So as regards to the signing of the peace accord,nobody is running away from his responsibility, rather we are pointing out toNigerians that there is something cooking by this APC led administration underthe watch of police that are being paid with tax payers money.
“Secondly, we are going to participate. Will come out inmass, and we will defend our votes with our blood. Let them be very, very clear about that. We could not sign, we could not be part of that because we gave acondition, and it is their responsibility to make sure that these conditionsare met where they arbitrary arrest the members of only one particular party. Then that means that there is something you do not know. So what peace are we going to sign for?
”Some of the conditions include: “The IGP should immediately redeploy the Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Nemo Edwin-Iwo so as to guarantee confidence, peace and security during the Edo State governorshipelection.
“The IGP should immediately release of all members of thePDP being detained by the Police. The IGP should desist from interfering in the activities ofEdo State Security Corps, a body lawfully established under the law.
“The PDP demands that the INEC Chairman, Prof. MahmoodYakubu immediately redeploys the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Dr. Anugbum Onuoha from the State, especially now that people are alreadyagitated against this obnoxious appointment”.
The PDP chairman said that “the candidate of our great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Asue Ighodalo is heading to asweeping victory with almost 70% of the expected votes at the election as heenjoys the overwhelming solidarity and support of the majority of the people ofEdo State across Party lines”.
He added that Edo State voters have made up their minds toelect Dr. Asue Ighodalo as their next governor given his established trackrecord of performance, proficiencies, experience, passion for the people asarticulated in his Prosperity for All Manifesto which embodies the Will andaspiration of the generality of the people of Edo State.
He further alerted that the All Progressives Congress (APC)and its candidate, Sen. Monday Okpebholo having realized that they have nochance in the election, have resorted to violence, manipulations and using somerogue police operatives to harass, arrest, torture and detain innocent citizensof Edo State, particularly members and supporters of the PDP.
