In a statement released on August 15, the Accord Party demanded that President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, and other officials step in to stop what it called the intimidation, harassment, and detention of its members in the run-up to Osun State’s governorship election.
The party has also reiterated its demands for Ibrahim Gotan’s ouster as commissioner of police in Osun State, claiming that Gotan is biased and that his extended tenure in office could undermine confidence in the poll.
According to Accord National Chairman Maxwell Mgbudem’s statement on Thursday, the arrest of around “100 Accord leaders, candidates, members and supporters” throughout the state, with some being brought to Abuja, was made.
He said the party’s effort was an attempt to undermine it through politically motivated arrests.
Speaking on the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, Mgbudem stated, “Accord is peacefully carrying out its grassroots campaign.” He went on to say that security forces had disregarded earlier allegations of attacks on the party’s offices, campaign council, and supporters.
“These attacks were duly reported to the Police and other security agencies in the state; sadly, none of these known hoodlums was arrested, let alone prosecuted,” he later added.
Supporters were asked to be calm as the party denounced what it deemed as the unlawful imprisonment and harassment of its members in the absence of official accusations.
To guarantee an impartial election, Accord urged President Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, members of civil society, and the global community to step in.
“The people of Osun will stick with Accord and its candidate in the upcoming gubernatorial poll no matter what,” the statement continued. Voting is ultimately more powerful than using a gun.
In the run-up to the governorship election on August 15, campaigns have heated up, despite repeated assurances from security services that they will maintain their neutrality and work to keep the voting process calm.