The incumbent governor of Edo State and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Saturday election, Godwin Obaseki, and his main challenger, Osagie Ize-iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other candidates for the election on Tuesday signed peace accord and pledged to embrace peace irrespective of the election outcome.
The Peace accord signed by the 14 candidates contesting the Edo State governorship election was organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC).
Chairman of NPC, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, Former Head of State and while addressing the contestants, urged all stakeholders to commit to the spirit of the accord.
According to him; “As we go into the election, we have been given assurance by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that they will conduct free, fair and credible election. The rest is left for the voters to do what is right.
“We therefore call on everyone to work towards peaceful election to ensure peace reign during and after the election
In his remarks, Gov. Godwin Obaseki, appealed to the peace Committee to extend the accord to other actors who have influence in the political space to ensure that the exercise is complete.
Obaseki who restated his commitment to ensuring peaceful poll, added that he would lead by example.
“I am grateful to the Independent National Electoral Commission, Police and the Oba of Benin.
“Today, we a agree that a unique type of history has been made in Edo State where all contestants sign the peace accord for a violence-free election. As the Chief Security Officer, I have no choice than to ensure peace reign”, he said.
Similarly, Osagie Ize-iyamu, on his part promised to talk his supporters to conduct themselves in a bid to achieve peaceful poll.
“We are grateful to the peace Committee, INEC and the Police. We are also grateful to the Oba of Benin because what we are witnessing today was actually initiated few weeks ago.
Earlier, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the assistance in ensuring peaceful poll in Edo.
Represented by the Esogban of Benin, Solomon Edebiri, appealed to Edo sons to shun violence, noting that when two people contest, only one emerges as winner.
