Democracy is under threat, Osun Accord Party alleges

The Accord Party in Osun State on Sunday said that democracy in the state is under threat, alleging that the Police Command has been weaponised to frustrate opposition ahead of the 2027 elections and the August 15 governorship poll.

At a press conference in Osogbo, Accord leaders led by Rep. Bamidele Salam, candidate for Ede Federal Constituency, accused the Osun Police Command of abandoning due process and lending itself to partisan interests.

According to the party, the arrest of its Ijesa South House of Reps candidate, Mr. Popoola Alaba, and his subsequent movement to Abuja without proper invitation is evidence of the trend.

“Is invitation no longer part of criminal investigation? Has due process been completely abandoned whenever any of our party leaders is involved?” Salam asked.

The party also raised concerns over the arrest of Barrister Olaniyan Sodiq in Egbedore LGA, saying he was detained for calling out alleged interference in INEC’s PVC distribution by an APC leader. “Rather than investigate the reported interference, the Police chose to arrest the citizen who raised the alarm,” Salam stated.

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Accord further alleged a plot involving the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Gotan, and Senator Francis Fadahunsi to begin “systematically hounding” Accord leaders, with Senatorial candidate Hon. Ibukun Fadipe and other Ijesa leaders allegedly marked for arrest.

The party linked the development to growing frustration within the APC, which it said is seeing “the unmistakable mood of the electorate and increasing rejection.”

In their demands, Accord called on President Tinubu to direct security agencies to remain neutral, and for the IGP to investigate the alleged collaboration between CP Gotan and Senator Fadahunsi. They also demanded an independent probe into claims of importation of hoodlums and unauthorised security personnel into Ijesa-land.

The party specifically appealed to the National Human Rights Commission, NBA, National Peace Committee and the media to defend Osun residents “currently under APC political siege aided by officers of the Nigeria Police Force.”

Salam insisted that Accord remains committed to peaceful and issue-based politics, but warned that intimidation would not weaken the party’s support base.

“Let it be known that support earned through responsible governance cannot be criminalised,” he said, referencing labour leaders allegedly being targeted for supporting Governor Ademola Adeleke.