Taiwo Popoola
Few hours after declining to sign the peace accord ahead of the September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has listed the redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Onuoha Anugbum and the Commissioner of Police in the state, Nemi Iwo, among the conditions for signing the peace accord.
the National Peace Accord Committee is chaired by General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), a former Head of State of Nigeria.
the state chairman of PDP, Tony Aziegbemi, at the venue of the peace accord signing event on Thursday, declined to sign the accord on the grounds that some party leaders in the state had been arrested by the police and taken to Abuja.
Aziegbemi, who was accompanied by Barrister Asue Ighodalo, the party’s gubernatorial candidate, stated that they would only sign the accord once the arrested party members are released.
However, at a press conference in Benin City, Aziegbemi demanded the redeployment of the REC and Commissioner of Police as conditions for signing the peace accord.
He alleged that the REC is a well-known ally of Hon. Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
He also alleged that the REC had served as a commissioner under Wike’s administration when he was governor of Rivers State.
The party also demanded the redeployment of Nemi Iwo as the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, as well as the immediate and unconditional release or production of all persons currently in unlawful custody.
He further demanded that any arrested persons who are alleged to have committed crimes should be immediately brought before a court of competent jurisdiction in compliance with all legal processes.
“As things stand today, the Peoples Democratic Party and, indeed, the people of Edo State believe that certain minimum steps must be immediately taken to create an atmosphere of fairness and balance, and a level playing field as a non-negotiable requirement for the enthronement of peace and security in the run-up to the election:
“The immediate and unconditional release or production of all persons currently in unlawful custody, or if they are alleged to have committed any crimes, they should be brought before a court of competent jurisdiction in compliance with all legal processes.
“The immediate redeployment of the current Edo State Commissioner of Police, the current REC, and their replacement with individuals who can exhibit fairness and balance in the performance of their functions and who do not have any links to the contending parties or vested interests in the process.
“The immediate recall of any external police team or squad from Abuja or any other location in Nigeria currently operating in Edo State, illegally arresting perceived political opponents and creating undue tension in the state.
“An undertaking and commitment by the Nigeria Police and INEC to operate a level playing field without allowing themselves to become a private army at the behest of one of the contending parties,” he said.
Aziegbemi, however, expressed that the party and its candidates have the utmost confidence in the goodwill and peace-loving nature of Edo people. He said they are willing to submit themselves to the democratic choice under a free, fair and untainted process.
He noted that, at the moment, it is clear that the basis for peace and the conduct of a peaceful election are not in place in the state.
