Accord has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Osun State Police Command of orchestrating a campaign of intimidation ahead of the August 15 governorship election, alleging that about 100 of its leaders, candidates and supporters have been arrested in what it described as a politically motivated crackdown.
The party, however, insisted that it would not be intimidated, declaring that the will of the electorate would prevail at the polls.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Chairman, Barr. Maxwell Mgbudem, Accord alleged that some of those arrested had been transferred to Abuja as part of efforts to frustrate and weaken its campaign across the state.
The party maintained that despite the alleged intimidation, it remained committed to participating fully in the election.
“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,” Mgbudem stated.
According to the party, political activities ahead of the governorship election have become increasingly difficult due to alleged arrests, intimidation and police actions, which it said were undermining the level playing field expected in a democratic process.
Accord renewed its call for the removal of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, arguing that a change in the state’s police leadership was necessary to ensure a free, fair and credible election.
The party alleged that nearly 100 of its leaders, candidates, members and supporters across the state had been arrested and detained, with some reportedly transferred to Abuja.
“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,” Mgbudem said.
Accord also alleged that police operatives invaded the residences of six commissioners and the Secretary to the State Government, while accusing security agencies of failing to arrest those allegedly responsible for previous attacks on its campaign offices, supporters and billboards.
The party claimed the actions of the police suggested partisanship in favour of the ruling APC.
“It is obvious that the Osun State Police operatives are partisan in this election, giving credence to the APC national leaders’ boasting of state capture by deploying federal might,” the statement added.
The party called on President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, civil society organisations and the international community to intervene and ensure a peaceful, credible and transparent governorship election in Osun State.
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