Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu sign peace pact as INEC pledges neutrality

Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu have signed peace pact ahead of Edo governorship election

They also committed themselves to a violent-free exercise

Meanwhile, INEC has promised to be neutral in the discharge of their duties

As Edo people head to the polls to elect a governor that will serve them for the next four years, Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his All Progressives Congress (APC) rival, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, have committed themselves to a violence-free exercise.

They made the pledge during the signing of a truce deal brokered by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), chairman of National Peace Committee, and the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah, in Benin City.

Also, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) assured Edo people that the electoral umpire will be neutral and allow the people to select their governor.

Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this at the peace signing event.

On his part, Kukah said the pact should not be seen as a mere ceremony, adding that the project was of great national and international significance.

“For me as a priest, I liken this to an exchange of vows. You are committing yourselves, and we are only witnesses. As you read from the words of the accord, it is a trust you are taking upon yourselves and a commitment you are making to the people of Nigeria and all those around the world,” he said.