By Olusegun Olanrewaju
Ahead of the September 21 governorship in Edo State, the festering war over insecurity deepened yesterday as Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tony Aziegbemi, bickered with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, over an alleged bias by the police against the PDP.
The bickering came as the IGP said, as usual, some 35,000 policemen would be deployed across Edo State for the September 21 governorship election, and that another 8,000 from sister security agencies like the armed forces, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to complement the police.
Egbetokun stated this at the stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), where its chairman, Mahmud Yakubu, disclosed that former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), was already in town to preside over the signing of the peace pact by parties and their candidates, today.
The event had representatives of the 18 participating political parties, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC); the palace of the Oba of Benin, civil society groups, and others.
In his remarks, Egbetokun also said the suspension of the activities of quasi-security organisations like the Edo State Security Network (ESSN), and others set up by the state government to check insecurity remain suspended, and that they have no role to play on the day of election.
He said the security aides attached to VIPs would be withdrawn and reeled out the various election offences.
The IGP warned that anyone caught violating them would be treated according to the law.
His words: “It is the responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure that elections take place and the security of all is the responsibility of the police, and we will be supported by other security agencies to ensure safety.
‘’We understand the importance of our role in this election, and we will ensure that everything is done in compliance with that.
“We will deploy sufficient personnel for the election. For the Edo State Governorship election, we will deploy 35,000 personnel, there will be another 8,000 from other security agencies to complement us.
‘’We have undertaken several measures, including a tour of hot spots, engaging stakeholders and operational visits, and we will continuously engage all.”
He said all the entry and exit points in the state would be manned, while movements would be restricted between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm, and urged the political leaders to warn their members against any form of violence.
Also speaking, the INEC chairman said the commission had implemented 11 of the 13 activities on schedule and that, “As of today, we have only two outstanding activities.
‘’These are the last days of campaigning by political parties which, according to law, ends 24 hours before the date fixed for the elections i.e. at midnight on Thursday 19th September 2024 and Election Day on Saturday 21st September 2024.”
Mahmood said the commission made some adjustments to the final list of candidates based on court judgments which included the replacement of the running mate to the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), and the National Rescue Movement (NRM) which he said could not file its nomination on schedule, and obtained a court order to compel the Commission to include the party on the ballot which now increased the number of political parties in the election from 17 to 18.
He disclosed that 184,438 PVCs made of 119,206 new voters and 65,232 transfers had been sent to Edo.
Mahmood added that the commission had accredited 134 groups (124 domestic and 10 international) that would deploy 1,836 observers across the state and had accredited 114 media organisations deploying 721 journalists.
Also yesterday, INEC said it has extended the collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) from September 13 to 15.
A statement by National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said the decision was taken to give voters more time to collect their cards and take part in the poll.
Earlier, Edo State Governor and leader of the PDP in the state, Godwin Obaseki, had indicated that the PDP may not sign the Peace Accord today on the grounds that the police, who are responsible for enforcing the accord have, through their actions, shown that they are acting in the interest of the APC and waging war against the PDP.
Obaseki spoke when he received the Chairman of the National Peace Committee, NPC, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who was on a courtesy visit to the Government House, ahead of the signing of the accord.
Meanwhile, the Edo State chairman of the PDP, Anthony Aziegbemi, has also raised the alarm over the deployment of alleged associates of a former Rivers State governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to act as the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), and the Edo State Commissioner of Police (CP).
The governor, in a statement he personally signed on September 10, noted that since the commencement of the electioneering process in the state, the steps taken by the police had shown that they were one-sided.
During his interaction with Abubakar in Benin City, Obaseki expressed worry that the Police under the manipulation of the APC, had arrested no fewer than 10 PDP chieftains who they perceived would be strong political opposition to them in the coming election, including the serving Chairman of Esan West local government area, Collins Aigbogun, who was arrested and whisked to Abuja.
He noted that upon learning of the council chairman’s arrest, he reached out to the Edo CP, asking that due process be followed and that the matter be handled within the state’s jurisdiction, a directive which was flouted, directly undermining his authority as the Chief Security Officer of the State.
The governor also noted that the PDP chairman had written two petitions to the IGP over the harassment of the party’s leaders, which had not been attended to.
Obaseki, therefore, queried how one would enter a peace accord with an umpire who, from the onset, had shown bias in favour of one of the parties in the election.
The governor demanded immediate and unconditional release of the PDP chieftains, who he said were arrested in gestapo style by the Police and whisked to secret holding centres, noting that if the PDP leaders were legally arrested, they should be charged to courts in Benin City to answer for whatever infractions they are said to have committed.
In another development, seventeen of the 18 political parties contesting the September 21 Edo governorship election have signed a peace accord ahead of the election.
PDP Chairman Anthony Aziegbemi and its Candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who were present during the signing of the peace accord declined to sign.
Aziegbemi told newsmen that they were declining because 10 members of the party were currently being detained by the police in Abuja.
According to him, we are here to register our protest before the peace committee and to say that the PDP will not sign a peace accord when 10 of our members have been arrested and detained by the police in Abuja.
It would be recalled that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Wednesday during the stakeholders meeting, said he was not aware that PDP members were arrested in the state.
“However, I am aware that individuals who committed crimes and political violence in the state have been arrested,” Egbetokun said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the signing of the peace accord is coming barely nine days to the governorship election in the state.
The Convener of the National Peace Committee, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, charged the candidates to see peace as a foundation for credible election.
Kukah said that the task before the committee was to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a peaceful election devoid of violence.
“We should be thankful for our country because some other African countries are in crisis because of unresolved political issues.
”Let us thank God that we have the opportunity in Nigeria to stretch our hands in search for justice.
”I am happy that Nigerians are having confidence in the electoral process. A worst election is remedied by another election, ” he said.
Kukah urged Edo people to go out and cast their votes, saying that Edo should count themselves lucky having produced top politicians in Nigeria.
In his welcome remarks, the Chairman, National Peace Committee, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, said the ceremony was a commitment to uphold the peace, unity, and democratic values of the nation
Abubakar noted that since the committee formation in 2014, its had worked tirelessly to foster an environment where every Nigerian could exercise their constitutional right to vote without fear of violence or intimidation.
He appealed to candidates, parties and their supporters to remember that peace was the foundation upon which progress and development was built and established.
“Without it, none of the promises made to the people of Edo state can be fulfilled.
”I encourage everyone to uphold this commitment beyond the elections and accept the outcome of the election,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, assured that INEC would continue to play its part in line with the electoral laws.
Yakubu thanked the peace committee for bringing the political parties and their candidates together to agree to a peaceful election.
The IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, noted that the police in collaboration with other security agencies would be supporting INEC in conducting the election.
According to him, we will remain impartial, professional and vigilant while providing a level playing ground for political parties and their candidates.
Governor Obaseki, however, assured the Peace Committee of the safety of all stakeholders during and after the election.
Obaseki, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Joseph Eboigbe expressed concern over the continuous detention of PDP members in Abuja.
And the INEC has extended the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to September 15 in Edo State, preparatory to the state’s governorship election on September 21.
INEC National Commissioner, Sam Olumekun, announced this in Benin City, noting that the extension would begin on September 13.
Olumekun said that stakeholders unanimously appealed to the commission to consider an extension of period for the collection of PVCs to enable more voters to collect their cards.
“The commission held an interactive meeting with stakeholders in Benin, ahead of the governorship election.
“The meeting was well-attended by chairmen of political parties, candidates, traditional and religious leaders, security agencies, civil society organisations, and the media.
“The chairman of the commission, Mahmood Yakubu, and Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, addressed the stakeholders and responded to their electoral and security concerns.
“In view of that, a three-day extension has been granted from Friday, September 13 to Sunday, September 15.
“The cards will be available for collection in our 18 local government offices across the state from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily,” he said.
He urged all registered voters who had yet to collect their PVCs to seize the opportunity of the extension to do so.
The chairman said there would be no collection by proxy, in line with the commission’s policy.
Seventeen (17) of the 18 political parties contesting the Sept 21 Edo governorship election have signed a peace accord ahead of the election.
PDP Chairman Anthony Aziegbemi and its Candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who were present during the signing of the peace accord declined to sign.
Aziegbemi told newsmen that they were declining because 10 members of the party were currently being detained by the police in Abuja.
According to him, we are here to register our protest before the peace committee and to say that the PDP will not sign a peace accord when 10 of our members have been arrested and detained by the police in Abuja.
It would be recalled that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Wednesday during the stakeholders meeting, said he was not aware that PDP members were arrested in the state.
“However, I am aware that individuals who committed crimes and political violence in the state have been arrested, ” Egbetokun said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the signing of the peace accord is coming barely nine days to the governorship election in the state.
The Convener of the National Peace Committee, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, charged the candidates to see peace as a foundation for credible election.
Kukah said that the task before the committee was to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a peaceful election devoid of violence.
“We should be thankful for our country because some other African countries are in crisis because of unresolved political issues.
” Let us thank God that we have the opportunity in Nigeria to stretch our hands in search for justice.
” I am happy that Nigerians are having confidence in the electoral process. A worst election is remedied by another election, ” he said.
Kukah urged Edo people to go out and cast their votes, saying that Edo should count themselves lucky having produced top politicians in Nigeria.
In his welcome remarks, the Chairman, National Peace Committee, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, said the ceremony was a commitment to uphold the peace, unity, and democratic values of the nation.
Abubakar noted that since the committee formation in 2014, it had worked tirelessly to foster an environment where every Nigerian could exercise their constitutional right to vote without fear of violence or intimidation.
He appealed to candidates, parties and their supporters to remember that peace was the foundation upon which progress and development was built and established.
“Without it, none of the promises made to the people of Edo state can be fulfilled.
” I encourage everyone to uphold this commitment beyond the elections and accept the outcome of the election, ” he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu assured that INEC would continue to play its part in line with the electoral laws.
Yakubu thanked the Peace committee for bringing the political parties and their candidates together to agree to a peaceful election.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, noted that the police in collaboration with other security agencies would be supporting INEC in conducting the election.
According to him, we will remain impartial, professional and vigilant while providing a level playing ground for political parties and their candidates.
Governor Obaseki, however, assured the peace committee of the safety of all stakeholders during and after the election.
Obaseki, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Joseph Eboigbe, expressed concern over the continuous detention of PDP members in Abuja.
