Barely two weeks before the 15 August governorship election in Osun State, the Accord Party has petitioned President Bola Tinubu, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, and other security chiefs over what it described as a pattern of police intimidation and politically motivated arrests targeting its members.
The party also renewed its demand for the immediate removal of the state’s Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, over alleged partisanship. Accord Party argues that his continued tenure could undermine the credibility of the forthcoming election. The petition comes after months of heightened tension between the ruling party and the police, including the controversial raid on the residence of the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, the arrest of party officials, and sustained calls by civil society groups for the redeployment of the commissioner.
Petition Details and Alleged Arrests
In a statement issued on Thursday, Accord’s National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, alleged that police actions in recent weeks had disproportionately targeted the party ahead of the governorship election. According to him, about 100 party leaders, candidates, members and supporters have been arrested across the state, with some allegedly transferred to Abuja for investigation. The party claims that the arrests were designed to weaken its campaign and demoralise its supporters.
“We had previously addressed the media on the mindless killing of its leaders and supporters, multiple attacks on Imole Campaign Council and the party’s offices, and destruction of campaign billboards by thugs,” Mr Mgbudem said.
The statement further accused the police of selective enforcement, noting that while Accord Party members were being arrested, no action had been taken against individuals suspected of carrying out attacks on the party’s campaign infrastructure. This, the party said, indicated a lack of neutrality on the part of the state police command.
Concerns Over Police Neutrality
The party argued that the arrests, coupled with the police’s failure to arrest suspects linked to attacks on its supporters and campaign infrastructure, had raised concerns over the neutrality of security agencies ahead of the poll. Mr Mgbudem urged President Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser and the international community “to intervene to safeguard democratic rule and ensure a level playing field for all political parties participating in the election.”
Governor Ademola Adeleke is seeking re-election on the Accord Party platform and faces Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as candidates from other political parties. The election, scheduled for 15 August, is expected to be keenly contested, with opposition parties already raising concerns about the conduct of security agencies.
The Raid on SSG's Residence
The latest petition follows a police raid on the residence of Mr Igbalaye, where officers said they recovered N4.8 million cash, two permanent voter cards, voter registers, and other items during an operation investigating alleged vote-buying, criminal conspiracy, and harbouring a wanted suspect. The police claimed the operation was part of an investigation into electoral malpractice, but the state government and Accord Party denounced it as an act of political persecution.
Mr Igbalaye was later released on Thursday after pressure from the Osun State House of Assembly’s Speaker, Adewale Egbedun, and the ruling Accord Party. His release came after hours of detention, during which the police refused to grant him bail, according to the party. The Osun State Government rejected the allegations, insisting that the operation was politically motivated and describing the raid as illegal. The government maintained that the accusations against the SSG were baseless and aimed at tarnishing the administration.
Political Context and Implications
Accord Party's complaint highlights the tense atmosphere in Osun State in the run-up to the governorship election. The party has repeatedly accused the police of bias, while civil society groups have also called for the Commissioner of Police to be redeployed to ensure a free and fair election. The petition to President Tinubu, who is also a leader of the APC, adds a new dimension to the pre-election disputes.
The 15 August governorship election is seen as a major test for the Accord Party, which has been in power in the state. Governor Adeleke is seeking a second term, and the APC has been campaigning vigorously to unseat him. The police have come under scrutiny for their handling of political activities, and the party's petition could influence how security agencies conduct themselves in the remaining days.
Political analysts note that the outcome of the petition could set a precedent for how the federal government responds to allegations of electoral interference by security agencies. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has yet to comment on the situation, but the pressure on police leadership is mounting.
The Accord Party insists that the rule of law and democratic principles must be upheld. It has called on the international community to monitor the election and to hold security agencies accountable for any actions that could compromise the integrity of the vote. With only two weeks remaining, the party has vowed to continue its legal and political engagements until a level playing field is guaranteed.
