Two days after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) declined to sign a Peace Accord for the upcoming Edo State governorship election, Governor Godwin Obaseki has described the election, slated for September 21, as a “do or die” exercise. The governor voiced his concerns during a visit by Abdulsalami Abubakar, former military Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee.
Obaseki accused the Nigerian Police, who are supposed to enforce the Peace Accord, of working in favor of the opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). According to the governor, several PDP members, including a local government chairman, have been detained without proper justification. “The police force has detained 10 PDP members without sufficient evidence or valid cases against them,” Obaseki said.
Reflecting on the state’s previous off-cycle election in 2020, the governor expressed heightened worry over the current political climate. “Unlike 2020, I am very worried about the developments in the state today,” Obaseki remarked, adding that the PDP had considered not signing the peace agreement due to these issues.
Obaseki also accused the APC of planning to leverage federal power to influence the election’s outcome, saying, “The opposition party in the state, the APC, has promised to use federal power to determine the outcome of this election. We thought it was just rhetoric, but in the last four weeks, armed police gangs have invaded Edo State, arresting and detaining PDP members.”
Speaking at the grand finale of the PDP governorship campaign in Oredo Local Government Area, Obaseki contrasted the state’s current situation with the past. He criticized his predecessor for what he termed a lack of respect for the people, particularly women, and for failing to provide jobs for the youth. “When I took over office, our pensioners wore black on Labour Day, but today they wear white. After eight years, is Edo not one of the safest states in Nigeria?” the governor asked.
Obaseki also rallied the electorate, urging them to reject insecurity and unqualified leadership. “This election is a do or die. Do you want insecurity? Do you want people that didn’t go to school to lead us? Next Saturday, you will vote for PDP, and our next governor is Asue Ighodalo.”
On the same day, Governor Obaseki welcomed top APC chieftains, led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, to the state for the APC’s grand finale campaign. Among those present were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and several APC governors and lawmakers.
With tensions rising ahead of the election, all eyes are on Edo State as both parties make their final push to secure victory in what is shaping up to be a highly contentious race.