Accord Party candidates for the National and state assemblies in Osun State have accused the police of politically motivated arrests and harassment of their members.
The candidates are calling on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and other stakeholders to intervene ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
The allegations were made on Sunday during a press conference in Osogbo, addressed by the Accord candidate for Ede Federal Constituency, Bamidele Salam, on behalf of the party’s National and State Assembly candidates.
Salam alleged that recent actions by the police reflected a pattern of partisan conduct, claiming that prominent leaders and members of the Accord were being targeted through frivolous arrests and unfounded allegations.
He cited the arrest of the party’s House of Representatives candidate for Ijesa South Federal Constituency, Popoola Alaba, stating that the politician had been transferred to Abuja after his arrest.
According to Salam, “The party initially refrained from commenting publicly because it expected that any criminal allegations against Alaba would be investigated through due process. However, the explanation subsequently issued by the police failed to address key questions surrounding the arrest.
“The Police claimed Mr Popoola Alaba was arrested over an alleged petition from an unnamed petitioner, yet failed to disclose the identity, status or locus of that petitioner.”
The Accord candidate also questioned whether Alaba had been invited for questioning before his arrest, asking whether invitations and due process were no longer part of criminal investigations involving political figures.
Salam alleged that Olaniyan Sodiq, described as an Accord operative from Ward 4 in Ido-Osun, Egbedore Local Government Area, was arrested after challenging unlawful interference in INEC’s distribution of Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs.
He called for the immediate and unconditional release of Sodiq and also demanded the release of Alaba and other individuals whom the party claimed had been arrested without lawful justification.
The Accord candidates alleged that they had received intelligence suggesting a planned crackdown on more party leaders, including the party’s Osun East Senatorial candidate, Ibukun Fadipe, and claimed there were reports of collaboration between some security officials and political figures to target Accord members.
They called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the allegations.
Salam also urged President Bola Tinubu to direct all security agencies to remain neutral, professional and committed to the rule of law before, during and after the Osun governorship election.
The party appealed to the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, the National Peace Committee, civil society organisations and the media to closely monitor developments in Osun State and safeguard democratic rights.
The Accord candidates alleged plans to deploy unauthorised security personnel and recruit thugs to intimidate voters, urging security agencies to investigate the claims.
The Accord candidates said they remained committed to peaceful, issue-based and democratic participation in the forthcoming elections.
