The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming Edo State governorship election and incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki has promised to give peace a chance during the exercise.
He made this known during the signing of the Peace Pact organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC) on Tuesday in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
The governor said he will live by the letters and spirit of the peace pact. He, however, asked the NPC to reach out to some political actors whom he said wield much influence and are interested in the election.
The governor explained that the move is necessary in order not to let the exercise to end in futility, adding that, “I want to commit publicly once again that I will live by the letter and spirit of the accord that has just been signed.
“Before leaving the stage, I want to appeal to the National Peace Committee not to end their work with the signing of this accord.
“There are other actors in the political space who will have and exercise influence in the political space and also elections to reach out to them to persuade them about the importance of this accord we have just signed,” he said.
Also speaking, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has promised that his party will conduct itself peacefully during and after the election.
The APC candidate pledged that the party will talk to its supporters to eschew violence before, during and after the polls.
He also commended the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare for his efforts in ensuring that the exercise holds in a manner free from bloodshed.
“Let me reaffirm to our commitment to what has been signed and to reassure Nigerians that and particularly our people in Edo State that we will talk to all our supporters.
“We will conduct ourselves peacefully. We will do all our best to ensure that the election is peaceful,” he said.
