By Omoyeni Ojeifo
The fate of 60 Accord Party members allegedly detained by police in Abuja, Osun and Nasarawa States has become a major concern ahead of the August 15 Osun governorship election, with the party demanding their immediate release.
The party said their continued detention could heighten political tension in Osun, while also alleging attacks, arrests, intimidation and harassment of its members during preparations for the poll.
Speaking at a press conference at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja on Friday, Accord National Chairman, Chief Maxwell Mgbudem, said the party had reported the alleged incidents to security agencies.
Mgbudem said the immediate release of the detainees was necessary to reduce tension and create a safer atmosphere for the election.
“We appeal to Mr President and the Inspector-General of Police to release the remaining 60 Accord members detained by the Police in Abuja, Osun and Nasarawa States, and provide adequate security for the governorship election, ” Persecondnews correspondent at the conference quotes him as saying.
The chairman alleged that several Accord leaders, members and supporters had been killed, sustained gunshot wounds, arrested, harassed and intimidated, while homes, party offices, campaign structures and billboards were allegedly attacked.
He explained that the party had reported the incidents to security agencies and, in some cases, notified them ahead of planned attacks, but claimed no adequate protection was provided.
Mgbudem noted that the situation worsened with the EFCC’s August 5 decision to freeze the Osun State Government bank account, which he described as an overreach of the commission’s statutory powers.
“The EFCC threw caution to the wind, overreached its statutory responsibilities, flagrantly violated the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, and abused its office with impunity.”
According to him, the account freeze heightened concerns that federal institutions were being used to weaken Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration ahead of the election.
While commending the President’s intervention, the Accord chairman said the party had lost confidence in the EFCC leadership and demanded the chairman’s resignation.
“Accord has lost confidence in the current leadership of the EFCC. The EFCC Chairman should toe the path of honour and tender his resignation. If he fails to resign, President Tinubu should sack him immediately.”
Mgbudem accused the EFCC of embarrassing the President and bringing Nigeria to ridicule and disrepute before the international community, while alleging wider attempts to frustrate Adeleke’s administration.
He cited the alleged paralysis of local government operations, withholding of federal allocations and an earlier court action seeking to deregister Accord as part of what he described as efforts to destabilise the state government.
“Having done well in his first term, Senator Ademola Adeleke deserves a second term to usher in a new, better, greater and prosperous Osun State.”
Accord urged voters to come out en masse on August 15, protect their ballots and ensure every vote is counted and reflected in the final result, while charging INEC to conduct a credible poll.
“INEC should be at its best in conducting a free, fair, credible and inclusive gubernatorial election. All electoral materials should be adequately test-run to avoid glitches and hitches.”
Accord also demanded professionalism and impartiality from security agencies, saying their constitutional duty was to protect lives, maintain order and provide a secure environment for voters.
Mgbudem said the party was prepared for the election and would not bow to what he described as intimidation by forces seeking to prevent the people of Osun from choosing their governor.
“The people of Osun State deserve nothing less than an election whose outcome genuinely reflects their freely expressed democratic choice. Accord is ready and prepared for the governorship election and will emerge victorious.”
Persecondnews also reports that the party called on the international community, civil society organisations, election observer missions, the Nigerian Bar Association, development partners, the media, opposition parties and other stakeholders to closely monitor the August 15 poll and speak against any conduct capable of undermining its credibility.
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