Accord Party alleges police harassment days to 2026 Osun governorship election

The Accord Party has raised the alarm that police officers are targeting its leaders, members and government officials in Osun state ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election to weakening its campaign.

The party’s National Chairman, Barrister Maxwell Mgbudem, in a statement issued on Thursday, observed that the conduct of the Osun state police command as “an assault on Nigeria’s democracy” and called for the immediate release of all its detained members.

Accord also renewed its demand for the removal of the Osun state commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, alleging that he had become partisan in the handling of security matters related to the election.

According to him, about 100 of its leaders, candidates, members and supporters across Osun state have been arrested and detained by the police, with some reportedly transferred to Abuja.

He alleged that the arrests were intended to frustrate and weaken its campaign ahead of the poll.

He further claimed that police operatives recently raided the residences of six commissioners and the Secretary to the State Government in what it described as “Gestapo-style operations,”.

He condemned the alleged harassment, intimidation and detention of government officials and party members without charges.

He said it had previously raised concerns over the alleged killing of its members and supporters, attacks on its Imole Campaign Council and party offices, as well as the destruction of campaign billboards by suspected APC thugs.

He alleged that despite reporting the incidents to security agencies, no suspects had been arrested or prosecuted.

Mgbudem said the police’s response to those incidents contrasted sharply with what it described as the aggressive arrest of its officials and supporters.

He alleged that the security agency was acting in favour of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

He called on President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), civil society organisations and the international community to intervene, relevant authorities to ensure a level playing field before the election.

The party maintained that residents of Osun state should be allowed to choose their next governor in a peaceful atmosphere free from violence, intimidation and harassment.

Accord also appealed to its members to remain calm and law-abiding while continuing their participation in the electoral process.