Osun Election: Act now, don’t wait until after the damage - Accord tells EU

Accord Party has appealed to the European Union to urgently deploy preventive diplomacy to ease mounting political tension in Osun State ahead of Saturday's governorship election. The party warned that international action after violence or electoral damage would come too late, as the August 15 poll is only days away.

The party stated that growing reports of violence, intimidation, arrests, and alleged partisan use of state institutions are creating an atmosphere where political parties and voters could lose confidence in the electoral process. Accord National Chairman, Chief Maxwell Mgbudem, emphasized in a letter to the EU Ambassador that the current situation calls for preventive diplomacy rather than intervention after the damage has been done.

Accord alleged that at least 29 people have lost their lives in incidents connected with the political environment in Osun, while several others sustained gunshot injuries. The party also claimed that more than 60 of its members and supporters were arrested and detained, calling for an independent scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding these arrests. Accord views these arrests as part of a wider pattern heightening anxiety among political actors and residents.

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We believe that the present situation calls for preventive diplomacy rather than intervention after the damage has been done.

Further concerns were raised regarding the searches of residences of senior Osun Government officials and the arrest and detention of some, including the Secretary to the State Government. Although these officials were later released, Accord insists the circumstances require transparent clarification. The party also cited the reported freezing of Osun State Government bank accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and President Bola Tinubu’s subsequent directive to unfreeze them as developments fueling concerns about the perceived use of state institutions during the election period.

Accord clarified that its objection is not to lawful investigations or enforcement actions by law-enforcement and anti-corruption agencies. Instead, the party's concern is 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. Mgbudem also drew the EU’s attention to alleged attacks, harassment, and intimidation directed at Accord members.

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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.