Osun election: Accord demands immediate sack of CP Gotan, release of detained party officials

The Accord party has warned that the harassment, arrest and detention of government officials and leaders of the political party in Osun State must stop, noting that the state is preparing for an election and not a for war.

The party demanded the immediate release of its detained members and the removal of the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ibrahim Gotan, insisting that the people of the state should be allowed to freely choose their governor.

Accord said that it is peacefully carrying out its grassroots campaign for the August 15, governorship election in Osun State but alleged that the opposition All Progressives Congress in the state in collaboration with the Osun State Police Command and thugs associated with the APC have been unleashing unprecedented assaults on the nation’s democracy to undermine the gubernatorial poll. 

“The danger is very glaring and must be forestalled immediately by all stakeholders in the electoral process to save our hard earned democracy,” a statement signed by Barr Maxwell Mgbudem, its National Chairman, said.

Accord said it had previously addressed the media on the mindless killing of its leaders and supporters, multiple attacks on Imole Campaign Council and party’s offices, destruction of campaign billboards etc, by thugs associated with the APC. 

“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,” it added.

“It was this apparent Police compromise that forced Accord to demand the removal of the Osun State Police Commissioner Ibrahim Gotan as he has become partisan.

“As at 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. 

“As if this is not enough to subdue the party before the election, the Police invaded the residences of six commissioners and the Secretary to the State Government in the most despicable Gestapo-style operations, setting aside decency, dignity, professionalism and democratic ethics.”

Accord said it condemns in strong terms this reprehensible targeted harassment, intimidation, oppression, arrest and detention of top government officials, party leaders and members by the Police in Osun State without charges preferred against them, adding, “It is draconian and unacceptable.

“It is ironic that the same Police operatives who ignored duly reported attacks on the Imole Campaign Council and party offices, killing of its members and supporters and destruction of campaign billboards etc, would storm the homes of top government officials and arrest several party leaders and members of our great party in the state. 

“It is obvious that the Osun State Police operatives are partisan in this election, giving credence to the APC national leaders’ boasting of state capture by deploying federal might.”

Accord called on President Bola Tinubu, National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police, civil society organisations, the international community and all lovers of democratic governance to intervene and save the nation’s hard earned constitutional rule from reactionary forces.

The party reiterated its demand for the removal of the state Commissioner of Police before the election to guarantee a level field for all the political parties participating in the election.

It added, “This needless assault on our democracy shall not stand. Accord will not succumb to intimidation by overzealous police operatives and their cohorts. The good people of Osun State are in one accord with Governor Ademola Adeleke and will massively re-elect him on August 15. Imole’s achievements in spite of efforts to destabilise the state by anti-democratic forces speak for themselves. 

“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. 

The party urges its members to remain calm and law abiding.