Osun Election: Accord writes EU, seeks intervention for free, fair poll

The national leadership of Accord has written the European Union, EU, appealing for intervention to ensure a transparent and peaceful governorship election in Osun State.

The letter, signed by the national Chairman of Accord, Chief Maxwell Mgbudem, Esq, drew the attention of the EU to what the party described as the increasingly tense and disturbing political situation in Osun State ahead of the poll scheduled for Saturday, 15 August 2026.

The letter read:

The election is of considerable importance to the democratic development of Nigeria, coming at a critical period in the nation’s electoral cycle and constituting the last major off-cycle governorship election before the 2027 General Election. Its credibility and peaceful conduct will have significant implications for public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions and electoral processes.

Against this background, Accord is deeply concerned about reports of political violence, intimidation, arrests, harassment and deployment of State institutions and security agencies in ways that have heightened political tension and generated considerable apprehension among political actors and citizens in the State.

According to information and reports available to Accord, at least 29 persons have reportedly lost their lives, while several others have sustained gunshot injuries in incidents connected with the political environment in Osun State. We are also concerned by reports that more than 60 members and supporters of Accord were arrested and detained in Abuja and Nasarawa State in circumstances which, from our perspective, require urgent clarification and independent scrutiny.

We are further concerned by reports of the involvement of federal law-enforcement and regulatory institutions in actions perceived by political stakeholders as politically selective or partisan.

In particular, reports concerning searches of the residences of senior Osun State Government officials and the arrest and detention of some officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, have contributed significantly to the prevailing atmosphere of apprehension and political tension. Although those officials were subsequently released following widespread public concern, the circumstances surrounding the arrests continue to raise questions requiring transparent clarification.

Similarly, the reported freezing of the bank accounts of the Osun State Government by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the subsequent intervention of the President directing the unfreezing of the accounts following public criticism, have further heightened concerns regarding the perceived use of State institutions in the political environment.

Accord respectfully acknowledges that law-enforcement and anti-corruption institutions have legitimate constitutional and statutory responsibilities which must be discharged without political interference. However, the timing, manner and perceived selectivity of actions by public institutions during an election period are capable of undermining public confidence if they are not demonstrably impartial, transparent and consistent with due process.

Our concern, therefore, is not to obstruct any lawful investigation or enforcement action, but to ensure that legitimate State powers are not deployed in a manner that intimidates political opponents, restricts lawful political participation or creates an uneven electoral playing field.

Accord and its members have, regrettably, become increasingly concerned that they are being subjected to what we consider a pattern of attacks, arrests, harassment and intimidation. More worrisome is the viral video where a sitting Senator ordered that Accord members should be killed wherever they are sited.

We are particularly concerned that these actions could have the effect, whether intended or otherwise, of weakening the ability of the Party and its members to participate effectively in the electoral process and of compromising the level playing field required for a credible election.

We respectfully urge the European Union to take cognisance of these concerns and encourage all relevant Nigerian institutions to ensure that no political party, candidate or citizen is disadvantaged through the selective application of state power or the misuse of public institutions.

Your Excellency, the European Union has consistently demonstrated its commitment to democratic governance, human rights, constitutionalism, peaceful political competition and credible elections in Nigeria and across Africa. It is against this background that we respectfully appeal to the European Union Delegation to consider using its good offices and diplomatic influence to encourage the immediate de-escalation of the political situation in Osun State.

Specifically, we respectfully request that the European Union: Publicly reaffirm the importance of a free, fair, transparent, credible and peaceful election in Osun State, with the outcome determined solely by the freely expressed will of the electorate;
Urge all political parties, candidates and their supporters to reject violence, intimidation, inflammatory rhetoric, hate speech and all forms of political provocation;

Encourage the Federal Government, security agencies and all public institutions to maintain strict political neutrality and professionalism throughout the electoral process;

Urge INEC to discharge its constitutional and statutory responsibilities independently, impartially, transparently and in strict compliance with the Constitution, Electoral Act and applicable regulations;

Encourage security and law-enforcement agencies to operate within the law and with scrupulous respect for fundamental rights and due process, particularly during the sensitive period immediately preceding and following the election;

Encourage all stakeholders to ensure a genuine level playing field in which every political party and candidate can campaign, mobilise voters and participate in the election without intimidation or undue interference;

Support credible domestic and international observation of the electoral process, including appropriate mechanisms for documenting incidents that may threaten the integrity, credibility or peaceful conduct of the election;

Urge all political actors to accept the legitimate outcome of the election, while ensuring that any genuine grievances are pursued exclusively through constitutionally and legally established mechanisms for electoral dispute resolution; and

Support appropriate accountability measures against individuals credibly established to have sponsored, perpetrated or facilitated political violence, electoral intimidation or other serious violations, irrespective of their political affiliation or status.

Your Excellency, we believe that the present situation calls for preventive diplomacy rather than intervention after the damage has been done.

The international community has an important role to play in encouraging political actors to exercise restraint, promoting dialogue and helping to create an environment in which citizens can participate freely and safely in the electoral process.

A timely and principled intervention by the European Union could send a powerful message that political competition must remain peaceful, democratic and respectful of the rule of law.

It would also reassure citizens and political actors that the international community is paying close attention to the credibility and peaceful conduct of the election.

The Osun Governorship Election is much more than a contest for political office.
It is an important test of Nigeria’s capacity to conduct elections in which institutions remain neutral, political parties compete on a level playing field, citizens exercise their franchise without fear, and electoral outcomes genuinely reflect the will of the people.

A peaceful, transparent and credible election will strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions and provide an important foundation for the 2027 General Election.

Conversely, any perception that violence, intimidation, institutional bias or manipulation has influenced the outcome could further erode public confidence and deepen political tensions.

Your Excellency, we respectfully appeal to the European Union Delegation to regard the situation in Osun State as requiring urgent attention.

We are not asking the European Union to take sides in the political contest or to endorse any political party or candidate. Our appeal is for the protection of democratic principles, the rule of law, political pluralism and the fundamental right of the people of Osun State to freely choose their leaders.

Accord firmly believes that the people of Osun State must be allowed to determine their political future through a peaceful, transparent and credible electoral process.

We remain confident that Your Excellency will give this appeal the urgent and serious consideration it deserves.