The Accord has petitioned President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, and other key stakeholders over what it described as the harassment, intimidation and arrest of its members and government officials by the police ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
The party also renewed its demand for the immediate removal of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, accusing him of partisanship and warning that his continued stay in office could affect the credibility of the forthcoming election.
The allegations were contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the National Chairman of Accord, Maxwell Mgbudem, who claimed that about 100 leaders, candidates, members and supporters of the party had been arrested and detained across different parts of Osun State.
According to him, some of those arrested were later transferred to Abuja, a development he described as politically motivated and capable of undermining democracy.
Mgbudem alleged that the arrests were aimed at frustrating the party’s campaign activities and weakening its chances in the governorship election.
He said the actions of the police amounted to an attack on democratic values and called on the Federal Government and security agencies to ensure that all political parties were treated fairly during the election period.
The Accord chairman explained that the party had earlier raised concerns over attacks on its campaign council, party offices, supporters and campaign materials but alleged that security agencies failed to act on the complaints.
According to him, despite reporting the incidents to the police and other security agencies, none of those allegedly responsible for the attacks had been arrested or prosecuted.
He said, “Accord is peacefully carrying out its grassroots campaign for the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
“We had previously addressed the media on the mindless killing of our leaders and supporters, multiple attacks on the Imole Campaign Council and the party’s offices, as well as the destruction of campaign billboards by thugs.
“These attacks were duly reported to the police and other security agencies in the state. Sadly, none of these known hoodlums was arrested, let alone prosecuted, to serve as a deterrent to others.”
Mgbudem said the alleged failure of the police to investigate previous attacks informed the party’s earlier demand for the removal of the state Commissioner of Police.
He maintained that the latest arrests further strengthened the party’s belief that the police command was not acting impartially.
“As of today, about 100 Accord leaders, candidates, members and supporters across the state have been arrested and detained by the police. Some of them were moved to Abuja.
“It is glaring that their arrests are politically motivated to frustrate, weaken and dampen our party’s campaign efforts in Osun State,” he said.
The party also condemned what it described as the targeted harassment, intimidation, arrest and detention of top government officials, party leaders and supporters without formal charges.
It argued that such actions could create fear among political actors and discourage citizens from participating freely in the democratic process.
Accord appealed to President Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, civil society organisations, election observers and the international community to intervene before the governorship election.
According to the party, urgent intervention is needed to safeguard democracy, protect the rights of political parties and ensure a level playing field for all contestants.
The party also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure that the election is conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner.
While expressing dissatisfaction with what it described as intimidation by security agencies, Accord urged its members and supporters not to take the law into their own hands.
Instead, it advised them to remain peaceful, law-abiding and focused on lawful political activities throughout the election period.
The party further encouraged eligible voters across Osun State to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate actively in the governorship election.
It expressed confidence that the electorate would determine the outcome of the poll through their votes.
“No brute force will break the resolve of the people of Osun from identifying with Accord and its candidate in the upcoming governorship poll. In the end, the ballot is stronger than the bullet,” the statement added.
The allegations come as political activities continue to gather momentum ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with political parties intensifying campaigns across the state’s 30 local government areas.
The election is expected to be keenly contested, with parties holding rallies, meeting community leaders and presenting their programmes to voters in an effort to secure support.
Osun has remained one of Nigeria’s politically active states, and governorship elections in the state have often attracted national attention because of their significance in the South-West political landscape.
As campaigning intensifies, political parties have repeatedly appealed to their supporters to avoid violence and allow the democratic process to take its course.
Security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, have also assured residents and political stakeholders that they will remain neutral and provide adequate security before, during and after the election.
The police have consistently stated that their duty is to protect lives and property, maintain law and order, and ensure that eligible voters exercise their rights without intimidation.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has also assured political parties that preparations for the election are on course and has urged all stakeholders to conduct themselves peacefully.
The commission has repeatedly warned against vote buying, political violence, hate speech and any action capable of disrupting the electoral process.
In recent weeks, concerns over political violence and allegations of intimidation have featured prominently in the build-up to the Osun governorship election.
Civil society groups and election observers have continued to call on political parties, security agencies and candidates to respect the rule of law and ensure that the election is free, fair and credible.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not publicly responded to Accord’s allegations, while there was no official reaction from the Presidency or the Office of the Inspector-General of Police regarding the petition.