The candidates of the Accord Party contesting the 2027 National and State Assembly elections in Osun State have accused the Osun State Police Command of carrying out politically motivated arrests and intimidation against the party’s leaders and members ahead of the elections.
The allegations were contained in a statement presented at a press conference in Osogbo on Sunday by the member representing Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency, Hon. Bamidele Salam, on behalf of the Accord candidates.
Salam alleged that the police had become partisan by targeting opposition members through what he described as “frivolous arrests and trumped-up allegations.”
“We have invited you here to draw the attention of Nigerians, the Inspector-General of Police, INEC and the international community to what has become a dangerous pattern of harassment and politically motivated arrests of leaders and members of our great party by the Osun State Police Command,” he said.
The party cited the arrest of its Ijesa South House of Representatives candidate, Ibrahim Popoola Alaba, and party member Barrister Olaniyan Sodiq as examples of what it described as political persecution, alleging that due process was not followed in their arrests.
Salam questioned the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Alaba, insisting that the police failed to observe due process.
“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. Is this now the standard investigative procedure of the Nigeria Police Force? Is invitation no longer part of criminal investigation?” he queried.
He also alleged that more Accord leaders, including the party’s Osun East Senatorial candidate, Hon. Ibukun Fadipe, had been marked for arrest.
“If this is true, then democracy in Osun State is under serious threat,” Salam warned.
On the arrest of Barrister Olaniyan Sodiq, Salam accused the police of suppressing civic responsibility instead of investigating the complaint that was raised.
“Rather than investigate the reported interference with INEC’s lawful activities, the Police chose to arrest the citizen who raised the alarm. This action is reckless, indefensible and a dangerous assault on civic responsibility,” he said.
The Accord candidates further alleged that leaders of organised labour were being targeted because of their perceived support for Governor Ademola Adeleke and accused the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, and APC chieftain Senator Francis Fadahunsi of being linked to the alleged intimidation of party members.
The party called on President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Service Commission, INEC, the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigerian Bar Association and other stakeholders to ensure that security agencies remain neutral throughout the electoral process.
Among its demands, the party sought the immediate release of Alaba, Sodiq and other members allegedly detained without lawful cause, while urging the Inspector-General of Police to investigate what it described as the alleged collaboration between the Osun State Police Command and APC leaders.
Despite the allegations, Salam said the Accord Party would remain committed to peaceful and democratic participation in the electoral process.
“Let it be known today, as we have always maintained, that the Accord remains committed to peaceful, issue-based and democratic participation in the forthcoming elections,” he stated.
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