Samson Itodo, executive director of YIAGA Africa, has expressed concerns that the peace accord controversy in Edo state may affect voter turnout in the upcoming governorship poll.
Gatekeepers News reports that Itodo’s comments came after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) refused to sign the peace accord, citing concerns that police personnel are working for the All Progressives Congress (APC). The PDP also alleged that at least 16 of its members have been detained by the police, with 15 others “marked for arrest over trumped-up charges”.
“What has happened today will further escalate the tension,” Itodo said.
“When you have this crisis of confidence, you just give voters so much fear that their votes will not count next week. There is a crisis of confidence in Edo state as it stands. The stage has been set for all forms of post-election disputes.”
Itodo emphasised that the refusal of the PDP to sign the peace accord is unprecedented and may have serious consequences for the election. “This is the first time that a political party won’t sign a peace accord,” he said.
To address the concerns of all parties, Itodo called on the inspector-general of police (IGP) to convene a meeting.
“I want to call on the IG and the police to invite the stakeholders to a meeting giving the sensitivity of this particular issue and address some of the concerns that they have raised but to also call on the actors on the other side that they need to sheathe their swords and come to the dialogue table,” he said.
“If their concerns are addressed, they should go back to their supporters not to embrace violence,” Itodo added.
