The Accord has petitioned President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and other key stakeholders over the alleged harassment, intimidation and arrest of its members and government officials ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
The party also renewed its call for the immediate removal of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, accusing him of partisanship and warning that his continued stay in office could undermine the credibility of the governorship election.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Accord National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, alleged that about 100 of the party’s leaders, candidates, members and supporters had been arrested and detained across the state, with some reportedly transferred to Abuja.
He said the actions of the police amounted to an attack on Nigeria’s democracy and could affect the integrity of the forthcoming governorship poll.
Mgbudem claimed that previous complaints over attacks on the party’s campaign council, offices, supporters and campaign materials had been ignored by security agencies.
“Accord is peacefully carrying out its grassroots campaign for the August 15 governorship election in Osun State,” he said.
“We had previously addressed the media on the mindless killing of our leaders and supporters, multiple attacks on the Imole Campaign Council and the party’s offices, as well as the destruction of campaign billboards by thugs.
“These attacks were duly reported to the police and other security agencies in the state, but none of the identified hoodlums was arrested or prosecuted.”
He said the alleged inaction of the police informed the party’s earlier demand for the removal of 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, with some moved to Abuja.
“It is clear that these arrests are politically motivated and intended to frustrate, weaken and dampen our party’s campaign efforts in Osun State,” he alleged.
The party condemned what it described as the targeted harassment, intimidation, arrest and detention of its leaders, members and government officials without formal charges.
It urged its supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding despite what it called sustained provocation.
Accord also 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 protect democratic rule and ensure a level playing field for all political parties participating in the election.
The party encouraged eligible voters in Osun to collect their Permanent Voter Cards and support its candidate at the polls.
“No amount of brute force will break the resolve of the people of Osun from identifying with Accord and its candidate in the forthcoming governorship election. In the end, the ballot is stronger than the bullet,” the statement added.
Political campaigns have intensified ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, with major parties increasing mobilisation across the state.
Security agencies have repeatedly assured residents of their neutrality and pledged to provide a peaceful environment before, during and after the election.