By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
With only three days to go before the Edo State governorship election on Saturday, September 19, the two major political gladiators on Tuesday signed a peace accord.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) celebrated the signing on its twitter handle @inecnigeria, “Peace Accord Signing Ceremony: Candidate of the PDP and Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki and Candidate of the APC, Pastor Ize Iyamu hug each other as Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (2nd Left) and Bishop Mattew Kukah (L)applaud them. #EdoDecides2020“
The signing organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC) took place on Tuesday in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
During the programme, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate and incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki embraced his main rival in the poll, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The duo beaming with smiles warmly hugged each other, an indication that they have decided to toe the line of peace and avoid unnecessary bloodshed in the election.
Obaseki promised that he will live by the letters and spirit of the peace pact.
He, however, asked the NPC to reach out to some political actors whom he said wield much influence and are interested in the election.
The governor explained that the move is necessary in order not to let the exercise to end in futility, adding that, “I want to commit publicly once again that I will live by the letter and spirit of the accord that has just been signed.
“Before leaving the stage, I want to appeal to the National Peace Committee not to end their work with the signing of this accord.
“There are other actors in the political space who will have and exercise influence in the political space and also elections to reach out to them to persuade them about the importance of this accord we have just signed,” he said.
Ize-Iyamu promised that the APC will conduct itself peacefully.
The APC candidate pledged that the party will talk to its supporters to eschew violence before, during and after the polls.
He also commended the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare for his efforts in ensuring that the exercise holds in a manner free from bloodshed.
“Let me reaffirm to our commitment to what has been signed and to reassure Nigerians that and particularly our people in Edo State that we will talk to all our supporters.
“We will conduct ourselves peacefully. We will do all our best to ensure that the election is peaceful,” he said.
