Osun poll: Accord petitions Tinubu, IG over alleged police harassment

The Accord Party has formally petitioned President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, alleging a pattern of harassment, intimidation, and arrest of its members by the police. These actions, the party claims, are aimed at disrupting its campaign efforts ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.

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Accord is peacefully carrying out its grassroots campaign for the August 15 governorship election in Osun State. We had previously addressed the media on the mindless killing of its leaders and supporters, multiple attacks on Imole Campaign Council and the party’s offices, and destruction of campaign billboards by thugs.

The party's National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, stated that approximately 100 Accord leaders, candidates, members, and supporters have been arrested and detained across the state, with some allegedly transferred to Abuja. Mgbudem described these arrests as politically motivated and a direct assault on Nigeria's democracy, potentially compromising the election's integrity.

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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.

Accord specifically called for the immediate removal of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, whom the party accuses of partisanship. The party asserts that previous complaints regarding attacks on its campaign council, offices, supporters, and materials were ignored by security agencies. Accord urged its supporters to remain peaceful despite the alleged provocations and called for intervention from the President, National Security Adviser, civil society organizations, and the international community to ensure a fair electoral process.

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Accord, therefore, called on President Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, civil society organisations, the international community and other stakeholders to intervene to safeguard democratic rule and ensure a level playing field for all political parties participating in the election.