The Accord Party has petitioned President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and other key stakeholders regarding the alleged harassment, intimidation, and arrest of its members and government officials by police ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
The party also reaffirmed its call for the immediate resignation of Ibrahim Gotan, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, accusing him of partisanship and claiming that his continuing tenure could jeopardize the governorship election.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Accord Party’s National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, stated that around “100 of its leaders, candidates, members, and supporters had been arrested and detained” across the state, with some purportedly moved to Abuja.
Mgbudem argued that the police’s actions constitute an assault on Nigeria’s democracy and may jeopardize the integrity of the upcoming governorship election.
According to him, security agents ignored previous complaints about attacks on the campaign council, party offices, supporters, and campaign materials.
He said, “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.
“These attacks were duly reported to the police and other security agencies in the state; sadly, none of these known hoodlums were arrested, let alone prosecuted, to serve as a deterrent to others.”
The Accord claimed that the police’s apparent inaction prompted its prior call to remove the state commissioner of police.
“As of 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,” the statement added.
Mgbudem criticized what it termed as the targeted harassment, intimidation, arrest, and detention of top government officials and party leaders and members without formal charges.
The party asked its supporters to stay peaceful and law-abiding despite what it described as provocation.
Accord, therefore, called on Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, civil society organizations, 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.
“The party enjoins Osun indigenes to participate actively in the electoral process by obtaining their voters’ cards and voting for Accord to end this opposition APC’s politics of bitterness.
“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 statement added.
Political campaigns in Osun State have heated up ahead of the governorship election on August 15, with major parties increasing their mobilization across the state.
Security agencies have repeatedly promised to remain neutral and provide a peaceful environment for voters before, during, and after the election.
