APC, PDP in Last-Minute Peace Accord Rejection: Accusations of Violence, Murder, and Threats Fly

Less than two hours before signing a Peace Accord for the September 21 governorship election, the APC declared it would not sign. This follows Governor Obaseki’s earlier statement that the PDP “may not sign” due to loss of faith in the police and INEC.

At a press conference, APC’s Emperor Jarret Tenebe cited the unsolved murder of a police inspector, claiming Governor Obaseki harbored the suspects.

He accused Obaseki of inflaming violence, saying the PDP had repeatedly attacked APC members.
With rising tensions, Tenebe warned of a dangerous trend, pointing to threats made by PDP figures, including a claim that “Nigeria will burn” if their candidate loses. He added that despite the APC’s multiple petitions to the police, detailing incidents and suspects, no action had been taken. “The summary of these episodes,” Tenebe stated, “is the unwillingness of Obaseki to embrace peace and the refusal of the security agencies to guarantee a peaceful environment for the conduct of the September 21st, 2024 scheduled election.”

As the election looms, the refusal of both parties to sign the peace accord raises concerns over the credibility and safety of the electoral process, with accusations of violence, intimidation, and a lack of trust in state institutions fueling the uncertainty.