The All Progressives Congress (APC) has withdrawn from the peace accord ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State. The party cited a lack of police accountability and rising violence against its members as reasons for its decision, raising concerns about the electoral climate.
In a dramatic development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced its decision to withdraw from the peace accord just two hours before the scheduled signing ceremony for the upcoming governorship election in Edo State on September 21. This accord was initially designed to foster a peaceful electoral atmosphere among competing political parties.
At a press conference held at the party secretariat, Emperor Jarret Tenebe, an APC official, explained that the party’s decision was influenced by the lack of action taken following the recent shooting of a police inspector, Onuh Akor, who was assigned to APC candidate Sen. Monday Okpebholo. Tenebe criticized the authorities for failing to arrest or prosecute those responsible for the incident, alleging that Governor Godwin Obaseki is shielding the culprits.
“The police’s failure has emboldened Governor Obaseki and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to target our members during rallies and in their private businesses,” Tenebe asserted. He also accused the governor of making inflammatory remarks that undermined his role as the state’s Chief Security Officer.
Tenebe highlighted multiple instances of violence against the APC campaign team across various local government areas, including Akoko-Edo and Esan West, emphasizing that Obaseki has remained silent on these attacks. He pointed out that threats made by PDP officials, including a statement from a Nigerian Labour Congress chairman, further exacerbate concerns regarding the security of the electoral process.
The APC’s decision to pull out of the peace accord raises significant questions about the electoral climate in Edo State, as tensions mount ahead of the crucial gubernatorial election.
