The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has issued a strong warning to the Independent Electoral Commission against glitches or hitches that could lead to rigging in the upcoming governorship election on September 21

Obi made this statement during the grand finale of the party’s campaign in Benin, where he expressed his full support for the Labour Party’s flag bearer, Olumide Akpata.

He said, “We don’t want excuses again, we are tired of excuses. Let me use this (opportunity) to warn INEC. They said they would use BVAS and iRev. No glitches, no hitches. We want this election to be free and fair.

“We are not looking for anybody’s vote. Time of rigging must come to an end in this country; time of rigging is coming to an end in this country. We are coming to a time where anybody that rigs an election we will rig him.

“We cannot continue that way, that’s what Labour Party wants to change and that change is what we are preaching – Olu Akpata, he’s not just our guy, he’s our governor.”

This he said, in reference to the alleged glitch that the Independent National Electoral Commission encountered during the 2023 general elections.

Peace Accord

Meanwhile, days ago, tensions escalated in Edo State as the Peoples Democratic Party declined to sign a peace accord before the governorship election.

This decision was made public by the chairperson of the National Peace Committee, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, during a signing event in Benin City.

The PDP’s refusal had sparked significant drama, with party leaders citing concerns over ongoing arrests of their members by police as a primary reason for their non-participation.

However, Edo State Governor and PDP chieftain Godwin Obaseki expressed that the party would only consider signing the peace accord if certain conditions were met, including the release of detained party members. He accused the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, of bias and undermining his authority as the chief security officer of Edo State.

Obaseki highlighted that several party members had been arrested without trial and were being held in Abuja, raising fears that signing the accord would signal acceptance of an unfair electoral environment.

Conditions Set by PDP

The PDP outlined specific demands before agreeing to the peace accord:

–       Release of Arrested Members: The immediate and unconditional release of PDP members detained by police.

–       Arrests of All Progressive Congress Members: Calls for action against members of the All Progressives Congress allegedly involved in violent incidents, including an attack at Benin Airport that resulted in a police officer’s death.

–       Fairness from Security Agencies: An undertaking from both the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure a level playing field during the elections.

Reactions from Other Parties

In contrast to the PDP’s stance, both the APC and LP signed the peace accord. APC candidate Monday Okpebholo initially threatened to boycott but ultimately participated in signing. This divergence has led to accusations from the PDP that their opponents are leveraging state power to intimidate and undermine them.

Three main candidates are contesting the governorship:

Asue Ighodalo (PDP): A seasoned economist and lawyer, Ighodalo has served as chairman of Sterling Bank. He aims to continue the developmental policies initiated by outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki. Key pledges include creating 2,000 kilometres of road infrastructure and planting one million trees within his first two years in office.

Monday Okpebholo (APC): A former senator, Okpebholo emphasizes security and economic empowerment. His platform includes expanding healthcare services and creating job opportunities for marginalized communities.

Olumide Akpata (LP): The former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Akpata advocates for anti-corruption measures and integrity in governance. His plans focus on reforming public service and enhancing legal frameworks for better governance.

With over 2.6 million registered voters across 4,519 polling units, the outcome of this election will significantly influence Edo State’s future governance and policies. (The PUNCH)