ACCORD PETITIONS TINUBU, IGP OVER ALLEGED HARASSMENT OF MEMBERS AHEAD OF OSUN POLL
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Accord Party 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 by the police 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 alleging that his continued stay in office could undermine the credibility of the forthcoming governorship election.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the National Chairman of the Accord Party, 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.
Mgbudem described the alleged arrests as politically motivated, warning that they pose a threat to Nigeria’s democracy and the integrity of the governorship election.
He claimed that previous complaints over attacks on the party’s campaign council, offices, supporters and campaign materials were ignored by security agencies.
“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,” he said.
According to Mgbudem, the alleged failure of the police to act on the reported attacks informed the party’s earlier demand 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,” he added.
The party further condemned what it described as the targeted harassment, intimidation, arrest and detention of its leaders and members without formal charges.
Accord appealed to President Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, civil society organisations, the international community and other stakeholders to intervene and ensure a level playing field for all political parties participating in the election.
The party also urged its supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding despite what it described as provocation.
“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 said.
Political campaigns have intensified ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, while security agencies have repeatedly pledged to remain neutral and ensure a peaceful environment before, during and after the poll.
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