The Bishop of Sokoto’s Catholic Diocese, Matthew Hassan-Kukah, has condemned Nigerian political parties for refusing to sign the Peace Accord.
Speaking in Benin City on Sunday, Kukah explained that their failure to sign a pledge to renounce electoral violence sends a damaging message to Nigerians.
Despite 17 political parties contesting the Edo State Governorship Election, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) boycotted the Peace Accord ceremony, citing police allegations.
READ ALSO: Edo 2024: Peace Accord Fallout Sparks Fears of Low Voter Turnout
Kukah, a National Peace Committee convener, acknowledged that the group cannot force candidates to sign the accord, a moral electoral tradition.
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He recalled instances where prominent politicians, such as Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and President Bola Tinubu, initially declined to sign the Peace Accord, only to later reverse their decision or send representatives.
Notwithstanding, the Bishop stressed that not signing the accord sends a wrong signal, potentially exploitable by opponents.
This development comes as a concern ahead of the September 21 Governorship Election in Edo State.
