Edo Guber 2024: Election, Peace or war?

•Electoral violence claims 1,350 lives since 2015
•Tasks before Abubakar’s peace committee

By Clifford Ndujihe, Politics Editor

SINCE it was established in 2014, the General Abdulsalami Abubakar-led National Peace Committee, NPC, has never had it as tough as now in getting political parties, candidates and other stakeholders to sign a peace accord before an election.

Except something significant happens before next Saturday, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s signature will not be on the peace document. If it happens, it will be the first time a participating party and its candidate will be declining their signatures.

On Thursday, the Edo State PDP Chairman, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, and its Candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo refused to sign the pact citing bias on the part of the Police, and Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who they said had arrested 16 members and leaders of the party and were making plans to arrest 15 more. The PDP and Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo also alleged bias against the Independent National Electoral, Commission, INEC, who it accused of working with the All Progressives Congress, APC, to rig the election, saying they would not be signing a peace accord when those who should protect the citizenry were doing the contrary.

Specifically, the PDP said it would not sign the document unless its 16 members were unconditionally released by the Police or charged to court. It asked the INEC to redeploy Edo Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, who they said was related to FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike; and the IGP, to redeploy Edo State Commissioner of Police, Lemo Edwin Ivwo, to ensure a peaceful and credible poll next Saturday.

The APC initially toed the PDP’s line of not signing but later changed its mind. The Acting Chairman of the APC, Emperor Jarret Tenebe and the candidate of the party, Senator Monday Okpebholo rescinded their decision and signed the document because of “our respect for the rule of law, the credibility of the National Peace Committee headed by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, retd, and Bishop Hassan Kukah.”

Tenebe said: “One of our demands was that those who attacked our candidate’s convoy and killed his police detail should be declared wanted and arrested.

“The Police have promised that they will be apprehended. And it will also not be proper for us not to come because the chairman of the committee, General Abubarkar Abdulsalami is an elder statesman,” he said.

As it is, the APC and 16 other parties taking part in the election appended their signatures without the PDP. Following the tense atmosphere, the leading parties— PDP, APC and Labour Party, LP, have vowed to resist rigging and protect their votes with their blood in the September 21 poll, a stance that portends danger and bloodbath.

NPC’s mandate

The peace committee was conceptualised in 2014 in response to emerging threats occasioned by the 2015 general elections. It is made up of eminent statesmen, who undertake efforts to support free, fair and credible elections as well as intervene in critical issues of national concern through high-level mediated and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. At inception, the NPC had an urgent mandate to make modest contributions towards a smooth and peaceful conduct of the 2015 elections devoid of breakdown of law and order before, during and after the electioneering process.

Ever since, it has worked to ensure peace in the 2019 and 2023 general elections as well as off-cycle governorship elections in Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Osun states.
In each of these elections, the NPC held a summit and got all stakeholders to sign a peace accord, pledging to abide by the rules and ensure peaceful and credible elections.

Lip service on peace accord

Ten years since the NPC’s mediation started, a host of the stakeholders have been working against the tenets of the accord. Records show that the 2015 general polls were more peaceful than the 2019 and 2023 exercises as violence, manipulation of polls, intimidation and suppression of voters trail most of the balloting.

Since the NPC came into being no fewer than 1350 lives had been lost to electoral violence.
The Tony Blair Institute reported recently that 1,525 people were killed in election-related violence across the country in five election cycles before 2023.

According to a report by SBM Intelligence, which monitors socio-political and economic developments in Nigeria, 626 people were killed during the 2019 election cycle, starting with campaigns in 2018.

Saturday Vanguard’s checks showed that 80 lives were wasted in 1999 general polls. For other cycles, the figures are 2003 (100), 2007 (428), 2001 (912), and 2015 (370). No fewer than 217 people were killed in off-cycle governorship elections in eight states since 2016.

General election fatalities since 1999

Year deaths
1999 80
2003 100
2007 428
2011 912
2015 370
2019 626
2023 137

Tasks before Abubakar’s committee

Given the worsening incidents of violence, some stakeholders have urged the NPC to up its game beyond the recurring peace accord signing ritual on the eve of elections. It has also been urged to speak up when the INEC and security agencies undermine the process. One way of doing this is supporting moves to get electoral offenders punished.

Although the INEC has got some of its officials prosecuted for aiding election rigging, no politician has been prosecuted for manipulating elections even though an avalanche of election results have been overturned by the courts.

Ahead of the Saturday’s balloting in Edo, it is hoped that all stakeholders will embrace peace and do the needful in the interest of democracy and well-being of the citizenry.

Why we didn’t sign Peace Accord —Obaseki

By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA: Deputy Director General of the Edo state Peoples Democratic Party PDP Governorship Campaign Council in charge of Communications and Strategy, Dr Don Pedro Obaseki has advanced reasons for the party’s decision to not append its signature to the Peace Accord midwifed by the General Abdulsalami Abubakar-led National Peace Committee for the Edo election.

According to him, doing otherwise would have meant validating the state-orchestrated violence against PDP leaders and supporters in the state.

Speaking on Friday on an Arise Television show monitored in Abuja, Obaseki said it is on record that his party had filed no fewer than 20 petitions to the Nigerian Police Force, none of which has been acted upon.

On the non-signing of the accord, Obaseki said; “By this action, we are bringing into the public domain the critical and very existential issue surrounding the election in Edo state.

“The IGP had declared that some persons have been brazenly arrested in Benin based on the killing of a Police officer. An officer who was killed by thugs loyal to the All Progressives Congress APC. They are free and roaming the streets.

“So, we felt that we should bring this to the public. Also, the APC has procured police uniforms to give people to wear on election day.

“You saw videos of an APC Governorship aspirant, Blessing Agbonmhere who was dressed in a police uniform with the rank of a CSP, making political statements.

“The police have been arresting our people but you can’t arrest people and take them to places that are not known. The police have become the armed wing of the APC in Edo state. APC is now All Policing Congress, like a friend told me.

“We said we won’t sign the Peace Accord to validate these unethical practices.

“Close to 20 petitions have been submitted to the Police. The CP has decided to sweep them under the carpet. Just last week, the chairman of my party and the DG of the Campaign addressed the media on this issue. On Monday this week, a local government chairman was attacked. He went to the Police with his wounded hands to lay a complaint but he was arrested and the next day at about 4am, he was whisked away to Abuja”, he stated.

Obaseki who declared the readiness of the PDP for the election, accused the APC of instigating violence ahead of the polls.

“We are ready for the election. They are the ones trying to hound our people because they know that they have a perpetually unelectable candidate.

“The APC is known in Edo state as a band of brigands and they are trying to create what does not exist in the state, chaos. They have raised lies and propaganda to high art.

“The people have been protesting that the Police should be the peoples police and not just for APC.
“We are going into the election next Saturday not just to win but also to win resoundingly. We are not afraid. Edo is neither Lagos nor Abuja. You can’t come with tanks to cow the people”, he declared.

He accused the APC candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo of not having the requisite educational background to govern the state, saying even the forms he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC were not properly filled.

Obaseki who kicked against violence, said anyone caught instigating it must be made to face the full wrath of the law.

Other parties react!

Those behind peace accord should take note of violations —Patience Key ( PRP)

By Prisca Druru

It’s a good thing to envisage peace or want peace in an election. We all signed it with
the exception of PDP and they have their reason for not signing the Peace Accord. What the majority is saying is that it’s good for us to sign the Peace Accord but it will also be a collaborative and good thing for those bringing the Peace Accord to us to also want to maintain peace.

And if there’s anything like a violation, they should also look into it. We love peace and we want to see peace in our state. We don’t want people to suffer or be maimed or beaten up or be killed because they want to vote. So it’s not just on the side of the candidates but, we want government institutions to also respect and obey what they ask us to do.

PDP has genuine reasons not to sign —Osirieme Edeipo (Boot Party)

I signed the Peace Accord strictly due to the deep respect I have for the person of Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar and Bishop Kukah, the persons that put together the Peace Accord. But the truth is, you can’t beat a child and expect the child not to cry.

I believe that the PDP have genuine reasons to express their displeasure and the best way was for them not to sign it. It’s something the entire nation should look at. A day before signing the Peace Accord, they complained openly that a good number of their members were abducted. So, if you’re talking about peace but the ingredient for peace is lacking then, we don’t really intend to have peace.

You can’t tell people to sign when you’re arresting, intimidating them —Dr Azena Azemhe (NNPP)
I believe in peace, I’m a man of peace. But for peace to reign, justice, equity must be enforced. You can’t be telling people to sign a peace accord when there is already intimidation, harassment, molestation.

If you want peace to reign, justice should be done. You cannot be violating the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria by arresting people until after 24 hours. What the constitution says is 48 hours at most, such a person should be charged to court. If indeed you want peace to reign, let’s follow the Constitution. So, to me it’s just a ceremonial activity.

Two major parties are known for violence – Paul Okungbowa (YPP)

I signed the Peace Accord without hesitation because I do not have the propensity for violence, or anarchy. I do not have the mental strength or the resources for it. There are two major political parties in Edo state that are renowned for electoral violence and voter suppression. This is not a hidden fact.

So, for you to begin to cry wolf means that you have seen that your game is about to be toppled. It is sad particularly that these parties have the resources and manpower and they have people to create this anarchy. So, for folks like us, we have no hesitation to sign the Peace Accord.
Signing the Peace Accord doesn’t mean I accept that the process will be laced with freedom. The reality on ground is that we know that this election is not going to be a fall short from the previous ones that were awashed with violence. And the next thing is the highest violator of electoral process or rigger will be declared by INEC and the next language is, ‘go to court’.

INEC, APC planning to postpone guber poll, Obaseki alleges

…says nation’s democracy at risk, urges vigilance

The Edo State Governor and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is working in cahoots with the All Progressive Congress (APC) to postpone the September 21, 2024 governorship poll on the eve of the election.

The governor who disclosed this while addressing members and leaders of the State’s chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) said the game plan was to destabilize the PDP and make way for the devious rigging plot of the opposition APC.

Obaseki, who noted that the country’s democracy was at risk, urged for vigilance to avert plans by the APC to subvert the will of Edo people leveraging ‘federal might.’

Expressing confidence that the party will come out victorious despite the intimidation and harassment of its members and chieftains, the governor said, “We will win the next governorship election in Edo State but need to be vigilant as our democracy is at risk. Some people want to destroy democracy in Nigeria.”

He continued: “We refused to sign the peace agreement yesterday because we don’t know if what we have presently is the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) or the All Police Congress (APC). This is the new meaning of APC. Why will they be intimidating people? Aligning with APC to intimidate, scare and oppress citizens of Edo State.

“I arrived from Lagos this morning and saw a police helicopter in Benin City to carry APC leader. He has been using a police helicopter to campaign, and it’s not fair. We all own Nigeria but how can the police be so partisan in this election? We can’t sit down for them to come and kill all of us.

“They have told us that whether we like it or not, they will use federal might and write the results. We don’t have any federal might but have the might of God and the might of the workers of Edo State. I know that the workers in the State will not keep quiet. They have to kill all of us first before they hijack Edo State.”

Edo 2024: Yiaga Africa expresses concern over possible violence, task security agencies

By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY – EIGHT days to the Edo State governorship election, Yiaga Africa has expressed concern on the possibility of violence during the election.

Its pre-election observations indicate that. It is therefore calling on security agencies to be on guard and wants the political parties to campaign on issues and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be fair to all parties in the contest.

Addressing a press conference in Benin City on its Pre-Election Observation (PREO), Director of Programmes, Yiaga Africa, Cynthia Mbamalu also named political thuggery and activities of cultists; increasing desperation of political actors; physical violence and verbal attacks during party rallies, meetings, on campaign trails; permanent voters card collection rate’, poor participation in the mock accreditation exercise as some of the things identified in the build up to the election.

Our REC can’t influence electoral outcomes, INEC assures

By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA: Ahead of the September 21 Governorship Election in Edo state, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has assured of the neutrality of its Resident Electoral Commissioner REC in the state, Dr Anugbum Onuoha.

Noting that with its multilayered levels of data protection, no official can manipulate the system, the commission specifically assured the Peoples Democratic Party PDP that only the people of Edo state will determine who governs them.

The commission however wondered why less than two weeks to the election, the PDP is coming up with allegations of partisanship against its top official in the state.

Speaking with Saturday Vanguard, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi said the commission will not deviate from its excellent record of conducting elections in the state, specifically the 2016 and 2020 governorship polls.

He said; “As a Commission that is fully committed to fairness, free and fair elections, we take our responsibilities seriously. We want to assure the Peoples Democratic Party PDP that INEC will provide a level playing field for all the candidates participating in the Edo State Governorship election scheduled for 21st September 2024.

“No candidate will be accorded any advantage over the other. As the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu has repeatedly said, only the registered voters in Edo State can and will determine who becomes the next Governor of the State.

“Every Resident Electoral Commissioner is bound by the core principles of the Commission, which include absolute neutrality and fairness in the performance of his or her duties. Besides, all RECs are supervised by our National Commissioners. At the same time, the eyes of the entire Commission are on the processes and activities in Edo state because the conduct of an election is never a one-man show. It encompasses a range of critical stages involving not only the commission, but also our stakeholders.

“Therefore the Edo State REC is not in the position to influence the result of the upcoming election. The institutionalized mechanisms that cover INEC elections and result management processes do not accord any single individual within INEC, no matter the position, the privilege or capability of influencing the result of an election.

“And don’t forget, the current Commission has conducted two previous governorship elections in Edo state – in 2016 and 2020 – which were hugely successful. We intend to repeat and even surpass the feat we achieved on those two previous occasions.

“Since September last year when the Commission released the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Edo State governorship election, the PDP and all political parties participating in the election have been carried along as each activity is implemented. So far, we have not received any complaint about our Edo State REC. It is therefore a surprise that the PDP is making these allegations barely two weeks to the election.

“However, the election will be conducted at 4,519 polling units on Election Day, and not in the office of the REC. At the end of voting, our officials will sort the ballots, count them and declare the PU results in the presence of accredited party agents and other stakeholders. Copies of the PU result will also be given to accredited party agents and uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.

“After that, the process of collation will begin and accredited party agents will also witness the various levels of collation until the final declaration of result at the State Collation Centre. It is therefore clear that the REC is not in the position to interfere with or compromise all these processes”.

The post Edo Guber 2024: Election, Peace or war? appeared first on Vanguard News.