Accord alleges harassment, arrests of members ahead of Osun governorship election

The Accord Party has asked President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and other authorities to intervene over what it described as the harassment, intimidation and arrest of its members ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.

The party also renewed its call for the removal of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, accusing him of taking sides and saying his continued stay in office could affect the credibility of the election.

In a statement on Thursday, Accord National Chairman Maxwell Mgbudem alleged that about “100 Accord leaders, candidates, members and supporters” had been arrested across the state, with some taken to Abuja.

He claimed the arrests were politically motivated and aimed at weakening the party’s campaign.

Mgbudem said, “Accord is peacefully carrying out its grassroots campaign for the August 15 governorship election in Osun State,” adding that earlier complaints about attacks on the party’s offices, campaign council and supporters had been ignored by security agencies.

He also said, “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.”

The party condemned what it described as the harassment and detention of its members without formal charges and urged supporters to remain peaceful.

Accord called on President Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, civil society groups and the international community to intervene and ensure a free and fair election.

The statement added, “No brute force will break the resolve of the people of Osun from identifying with Accord and its candidate in the upcoming gubernatorial poll. In the end, the ballot is stronger than the bullet.”

Campaigns have intensified ahead of the August 15 governorship election, while security agencies have repeatedly promised to remain neutral and ensure a peaceful voting process.