All but the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have signed the Peace Accord initiated by the National Peace Committee (NPC) led by former military Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar for the political parties and gubernatorial candidates for the September twenty-one, 2024 governorship election in Edo state. 

PDP’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo and its Edo State chairman Anthony Aziegbemi refused to include their signatures in the document like the Chairmen and candidates of 17 other political parties contesting the Edo state governorship poll. 

Armed with a two-page petition both Ighodalo and Aziegbemi approached the podium where the signing took place but refused to append their signatures when asked to do so by NPC Convener and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Reverend Father Mathew Kukah.

Instead, the PDP chieftains tried to hand him over the petition which he politely declined and asked them to leave the podium where those who signed were standing for the ceremony handshakes.

Speaking to journalists after returning to their seats without signing, PDP Chairman alleged that they did not sign the Peace Accord because their members are being harassed and detained by the law enforcement agencies both in Edo state and Abuja.