Members of the National and Osun State Assembly under the Accord Party have demanded the immediate redeployment of the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, accusing him of aiding a surge in politically motivated violent attacks against ruling party members. The Accord National and State Assembly Caucus, comprising seven National Assembly members and 25 State Assembly members, addressed a press conference on Friday, alleging that Gotan has been a willing accomplice in attacks on Accord members ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Call for IGP intervention
The legislators called on the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to remove Gotan from Osun and ensure the arrest and prosecution of sponsors and perpetrators of political violence. Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, read the text of the media briefing in Osogbo, which was signed by Senator Lere Oyewumi (Osun West), House of Representatives Leader Bamidele Salam, and Egbedun.
Alleged plot for large-scale violence
The caucus warned of a dangerous plot threatening the peace and democratic future of Osun State. They claimed credible intelligence indicated that All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Bola Oyebamiji and opposition leaders planned to orchestrate large-scale violence as the election approaches. The lawmakers stated, “The plan of the APC in Osun is to increase the current tempo of violent attacks on innocent members of the public and in particular members and supporters of Accord across the state in the next few weeks.”
Recent attacks cited
The legislators highlighted recent attacks where the Commissioner allegedly failed to act. They noted, “Only a few weeks ago, Mr Kolade Eluyera, an Accord member in Irewole Local Government Area, was brutally murdered. Similarly, on June 3, 2026, the Chairman of Accord in Osogbo Local Government, Hon Asimiyu Ajibola, was shot multiple times and remains hospitalized. The only crime of those shot in Ile-Ife, Owode-Ede, and Osogbo was wearing Accord branded caps. Unfortunately, these incidents form part of a growing pattern of violence.”
Allegations of police complicity
The caucus accused the Police of being a willing accomplice, saying, “We find it difficult to understand how crimes committed in broad daylight, in branded vehicles, caught on tapes would not be tracked and perpetrators arrested 72 hours after shootings. The apparent inability to identify, apprehend, and prosecute perpetrators has emboldened criminal elements.” They also noted that since assuming office on May 11, 2025, the CP had attended the state Security Council meeting only twice, often sending retired or junior officers. They further alleged that the CP attempted to incapacitate the Amotekun Corps, endangering security amid rising kidnapping and banditry. While hundreds of Accord campaign billboards were vandalized without arrests, the CP was reportedly busy stopping Accord campaign rallies.
Demands and reactions
The legislators demanded: immediate redeployment of CP Ibrahim Gothan for being partisan and compromised; arrest and prosecution of persons linked to crimes against Accord members in the last three months; a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for security agencies to maintain neutrality and zero tolerance for violence before, during, and after the August 15 election; and increased attention from civil society, media, the National Peace Committee, and the international community.
Reacting to the allegations, Wole Oke, Director General of the APC Campaign Council, denied attacking Accord members, accusing the ruling party of attacking APC members and hoarding thugs at the State Government House. Senator Lere Oyewumi also denied these claims during the press conference.
