UROMI – Political parties in Edo Central Senatorial District have signed a Peace Accord with a pledge to maintain peace, before, during, and after the general elections of February 25, 2023, and March 11, 2023.
The political parties signed the Peace Accord at the Annual Stakeholders Congress/Peace Accord, organized by the Uromi Justice Development peace and Caritas Initiatives (UROMI-JDPCI), with the theme: “Promoting Human Rights for a Violence-Free Society”, which was held in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The peace accord was signed by the representatives of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), while Representatives of various security agencies, including DSS, Nigerian Police Force, Nigeria Security, and Civil Defence Corps; and representatives of religious organizations, traditional institutions, INEC, National Orientation Agency, and the executive director of UROMI-JDPCI, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Fidelis Arhedo signed as witnesses.
The executive director of Uromi JDPCI Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Fidelis Arhedo said the gathering was designed to strengthen the peaceful co-existence and understanding of human rights that eradicate violence in the society.
He regretted that the polity had been heated up both physically and on social media platforms, and pointed out that Nigerians must be allowed to cast their vote without fear or intimidation.
The Catholic priests said: “we gather here today to agree on a common goal which is to have free, fair, and peaceful elections throughout Esan Land which is Edo Central Senatorial District.
” Let us, therefore reaffirm our commitment to the development and unity of our land, coming together to declare our intention for peace and a violence-free election. ”
The Edo State director of the National Human Rights Commission, Olumide Dosumu described the theme of the program as apt and recommended that political parties and their candidates openly condemn violence and eschew hate speech.
The director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Edo State, Moses Two Ajayi described the theme as apt and timely as it captured the realities of the society, and commended UROMI JDPCI for organizing the Peace Accord.
The INEC officer in charge of Esan North East Local Government Area, Mrs. Stella Idahosa said the electoral umpire had introduced a machine known as BVAS to tackle election malpractices, urging voters to be peaceful during the elections.
Participants frowned at the absence of the other political parties at the peace accord signing ceremony as the organizers affirmed that all the political parties were duly invited to the ceremony.
