By: Mercy Peter
All the political parties taking part in the September 21 2024 governorship election in Edo are expected to sign a peace accord on the 21st of September.
The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmooregistered disclosed this on Thursday, August 29 at an emergency meeting with national chairmen and secretaries of all the registered political parties.
Yakubu said the decision to sign the peace accord early is to enable the National Peace Committee to monitor compliance by the parties before the election.
He said: “After consultation with the National Peace Committee (NPC) under the leadership of our respected former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the signing of the Peace Accord for the Edo State Governorship election will take place on Thursday 12th September 2024 in Benin City.
“Supported by eminent members of the Peace Committee, the occasion will be presided over by the chairman, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
“You may notice that unlike the previous peace, accords signed a few days before the election, it was decided to do so early this time around to enable the Peace Committee to monitor compliance with the code voluntarily signed by parties, candidates and other critical players in the electoral process such as INEC and the security agencies during the remaining days to the election.
“This will add further weight to the Peace Accord beyond mere ceremony as demanded by many observers and even some of the political actors themselves.
“The signing of the Peace Accord will be preceded by the INEC Stakeholders meeting to be held on Wednesday 11th September 2024 in Benin City. As usual, the meeting will be addressed by the INEC Chairman and the Inspector-General of Police. It is an open forum for political parties, candidates, observers and the media to interact with the Commission and the security agencies ahead of the election.”
