Osun Election: Accord Party, police differ over neutrality ahead governorship poll

Ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State, a significant disagreement has emerged between the Accord Party and the Osun State Police Command regarding the neutrality of security operations. The Accord Party has publicly accused the police of failing to uphold impartiality.

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security operatives had been selective in their operations, claiming that some individuals accused of involvement in violent incidents had not been arrested despite allegations against them.

Pastor Victor Akande, the Osun State Chairman of the Accord Party, stated that security operatives have engaged in selective operations. He alleged that individuals implicated in violent incidents have not been apprehended despite existing accusations. Akande urged the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to initiate an impartial investigation into recent security disturbances within the state and ensure that all culpable individuals face prosecution, regardless of their political affiliations. He emphasized the need for the police to maintain professionalism and guarantee a fair electoral environment for all participating parties.

In response, the state's Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, vehemently denied the Accord Party's allegations, characterizing them as false and misleading. Ojelabi affirmed the command's dedication to professionalism, impartiality, and adherence to the rule of law, stating that the police do not offer protection to any specific individual, political party, or criminal organization. He clarified that police operations are guided by intelligence and substantiated by credible evidence.

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the command remained committed to professionalism, impartiality and the rule of law, stressing that it does not provide protection for any individual, political party or criminal group.

Ojelabi further explained that arrests are made only when sufficient evidence exists to warrant an investigation and potential prosecution. He confirmed that several suspects linked to public peace disturbances have been apprehended, and investigations into other reported incidents are ongoing. The police spokesperson refuted claims of selective arrests, maintaining that all suspects are detained based on reasonable suspicion of involvement in criminal activities. Political affiliation, he stressed, does not grant immunity from investigation nor guarantee arrest. The command appealed to all political parties, community leaders, and residents to avoid making inflammatory statements that could escalate tensions before the election, assuring the public of its commitment to protecting lives and property.

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police operations are intelligence-driven and based on credible evidence. Ojelabi said arrests were carried out only where there was sufficient evidence to support investigation and possible prosecution, adding that several suspects linked to breaches of public peace had been arrested, while investigations into other reported incidents were ongoing.