The Accord Party has petitioned President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and other key stakeholders over what it described as the alleged harassment, intimidation and arrest of its members and government officials by the police ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
The party also renewed its demand for the immediate removal of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, accusing him of partisanship and alleging that his continued tenure could undermine the credibility of the governorship poll.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the National Chairman of the Accord Party, Maxwell Mgbudem, lamented that about “100 of its leaders, candidates, members and supporters had been arrested and detained” across the state, with some allegedly transferred to Abuja.
Mgbudem claimed that the actions of the police amount to an assault on Nigeria’s democracy and could compromise the integrity of the forthcoming governorship election.
According to him, previous complaints over attacks on its campaign council, party offices, supporters and campaign materials were ignored by security agencies.
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 was arrested, let alone prosecuted, to serve as a deterrent to others.”
Accord maintained that the alleged inaction of the police informed its earlier call for the removal of the state Commissioner of Police.
“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,” the statement added.
Mgbudem condemned what it described as the targeted harassment, intimidation, arrest and detention of top government officials, party leaders and members without formal charges.
The party urged its supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding despite what it described as provocation.
“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.
“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 have intensified ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, with major parties stepping up mobilisation across the state.
Security agencies have repeatedly pledged to remain neutral and provide a peaceful environment for voters before, during and after the election.