By Sunday Ameh
The Accord Party has appealed to the European Union to intervene in the political situation in Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, expressing concerns over alleged violence, arrests, intimidation and the use of state institutions against opposition members.
The party made the appeal in a letter addressed to the EU and signed by its National Chairman, Chief Maxwell Mgbudem, ahead of the August 15 poll.
Accord described the election as critical to Nigeria’s democratic development, saying its conduct would have significant implications for public confidence in the country’s electoral institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party alleged that at least 29 people had been killed, while several others sustained gunshot injuries in incidents linked to the political atmosphere in the state.
It also claimed that more than 60 Accord members and supporters were arrested and detained in Abuja and Nasarawa State, calling for urgent clarification and independent scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding the arrests.
The party further accused some federal law-enforcement and regulatory agencies of actions it described as politically selective, citing reported searches of the residences of senior Osun government officials and the arrest of some officials, including the Secretary to the State Government.
Accord also raised concerns over the reported freezing of Osun State Government accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the subsequent directive by President Bola Tinubu for the accounts to be unfrozen.
The party said it was not opposed to legitimate investigations by law-enforcement agencies but warned that the timing and manner of such actions during an election could undermine public confidence if perceived as partisan.
According to Accord, its members had increasingly faced attacks, arrests, harassment and intimidation ahead of the poll.
The party also referenced a viral video involving a sitting senator, alleging that the lawmaker ordered that Accord members should be killed.
Accord therefore urged the EU to use its diplomatic influence to encourage all political actors and government institutions to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible election.
Among other demands, the party asked the EU to encourage security agencies to remain politically neutral, urge INEC to conduct the election independently and impartially, and support credible domestic and international observation of the poll.
The party also called for accountability against individuals found to have sponsored or perpetrated political violence, regardless of their political affiliation or status.
Accord stressed that it was not asking the EU to support any candidate or political party, but rather to promote democratic principles, rule of law and political pluralism.
It said a timely intervention by the international community could help prevent further escalation of tensions and ensure that the people of Osun State freely determine their political future through the ballot.
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