A civil society organisation (CSO), Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), has asked voters in Edo not to worry about the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) refusal to sign the peace accord.
Ezenwa Nwagwu, chairman of PAACA, said that PDP’s refusal to sign the peace accord for the Edo governorship election is a mere partisan tactic.
News About Nigeria understands that a peace accord is a formal agreement to promote peaceful elections, prevent violence, and ensure a fair electoral process.
Nwagwu asked voters not to succumb to fear-mongering tactics by politicians.
He described the PDP’s refusal as a “partisan tactic” aimed at creating fear and diverting attention from key issues affecting the election.
“The peace accord is not a legally binding document, but a persuasive initiative to promote peaceful conduct among political parties,” he said.
“Its absence does not equate to lawlessness or violence.
“The police and security agencies have a constitutional duty to maintain law and order during the election, regardless of whether a political party signs the peace accord.
“The electoral process in Nigeria is governed by the Constitution and the Electoral Act, not by moral agreements.
“The police, working in collaboration with other security agencies, must therefore deploy adequate personnel and resources to prevent violence and ensure that the election proceeds smoothly.
“Any failure in this regard would not be because of the absence of a peace accord but due to a lack of commitment to fulfilling their lawful obligations.”
Nwagu urged the police, civil society, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a tranquil electoral process.
