Osun 2026: Accord Raises Alarm Over Arrest of 100 Members, Demands Police Commissioner’s Removal

The political temperature in Osun State has risen further ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with the Accord Party accusing the police of allegedly targeting its members, candidates and supporters in what it describes as a politically motivated crackdown.

The party has petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, the National Security Adviser and other key stakeholders, seeking urgent intervention over what it described as widespread harassment, intimidation, arrest and detention of its members across the state.

Accord also renewed its demand for the removal of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, accusing him of alleged partisanship and expressing concern that his continued stay in office could affect confidence in the electoral process.

The allegations were contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the party’s National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem.

According to Mgbudem, about 100 Accord leaders, candidates, members and supporters have allegedly been arrested and detained in different parts of the state, with some reportedly transferred to Abuja.

The party chairman described the development as an assault on democratic values and warned that the alleged arrests could weaken the party’s campaign activities and undermine the credibility of the forthcoming election.

Accord Alleges Double Standard

Mgbudem alleged that Accord had previously reported attacks on its campaign council, party offices, supporters and campaign materials to the police and other security agencies, but that the perpetrators had not been brought to justice.

He specifically cited alleged attacks on the Imole Campaign Council, destruction of campaign billboards and what the party described as the killing of some of its leaders and supporters.

According to the Accord chairman, the party’s frustration over what it considers inadequate response to those incidents informed its earlier demand for the removal of the state Commissioner of Police.

The latest allegations, however, have taken the political dispute to another level, with Accord now asking federal authorities and other stakeholders to intervene.

‘Politically Motivated’

The party alleges that the arrests are politically motivated and intended to frustrate its grassroots campaign ahead of the governorship poll.

Accord said it was particularly concerned about what it described as the arrest and detention of party leaders and government officials without formal charges.

The party has therefore appealed to the Presidency, the police hierarchy, civil society organisations, the international community and other stakeholders to take steps to protect what it considers a level playing field for all contestants.

At the same time, Accord urged its members and supporters not to respond to alleged provocation with violence.

That call for restraint could prove significant as political activity intensifies across Osun and rival parties increase their mobilisation ahead of election day.

‘The Ballot Is Stronger Than the Bullet’

In a striking political message, the party declared that no amount of force would discourage its supporters from backing its candidate.

Its assertion that “the ballot is stronger than the bullet” has become the central message of its latest appeal, underscoring the party’s insistence that political contests should ultimately be decided through votes rather than intimidation or force.

Accord also urged eligible voters in Osun to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and participate actively in the electoral process.

The Bigger Question: Can Osun Guarantee a Level Playing Field?

The allegations have introduced another contentious issue into an already competitive election season.

Security agencies have consistently maintained that their responsibility is to protect lives and property and provide a peaceful environment before, during and after elections, while remaining neutral among competing political parties.

Against that backdrop, the allegations by Accord will require careful scrutiny.

If the arrests occurred as alleged, questions will arise over the legal basis for the arrests, the identity of those detained, the offences alleged against them and whether due process was followed.

Conversely, if individuals were arrested in connection with genuine criminal or electoral offences, the police would be expected to provide sufficient clarity and evidence to dispel perceptions of political interference.

Either way, transparency will be critical.

Election Security Under Spotlight

With the August 15 governorship election drawing closer, the focus will increasingly shift to the conduct of security agencies and the ability of political parties to campaign without fear or intimidation.

A credible election requires more than the mere presence of security personnel at polling units. It also requires public confidence that law-enforcement agencies are applying the law fairly and without favour.

For Accord, the latest petition represents an attempt to draw federal attention to what it considers a serious threat to its participation in the election.

For the security agencies, the challenge is to demonstrate that every arrest, investigation and deployment is based on law and security considerations rather than political affiliation.

As the campaigns gather momentum, the central question is no longer simply who will win Osun.

It is whether every contestant and voter will have sufficient confidence that the contest will be decided by the ballot—and that the ballot will be protected.