The National Chairman of the Accord Party, Chief Maxwell Mgbudem, has called for the immediate release of the party’s leaders, candidates, members and supporters allegedly arrested and detained in Abuja, Nasarawa and Osun States in connection with the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
Mgbudem made the call on Monday at a press conference held at the Imole Campaign Centre in Osogbo while reacting to the outcome of Saturday’s governorship election, in which Accord candidate and incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke was declared winner.
The Accord chairman described Adeleke’s victory as a demonstration of the people’s determination to freely choose their governor despite what he described as intimidation and other challenges during the electioneering period.
According to him, Accord “prepared for an election in its stronghold, not for a war,” stressing that “the ballot is stronger than the bullet.”
The party chairman commended the electorate, civil society organisations, local and foreign observers, the international community, the electoral umpire and security agencies for their roles in the election.
He also called on other political parties, their candidates, members and supporters to close ranks and work with the Adeleke administration for the development of the state.
Mgbudem also criticised Professor Imoukhuede over his recent political activities, insisting that he was no longer a member of the Accord Party.
“For record purposes, Professor Imoukhuede is not a member of our party. Professor Imoukhuede has never held any political office except when he contested the election as a special candidate in our party. So for today, his name is not in the membership register of the party,” he said.
The Accord chairman further alleged that Imoukhuede had been expelled from the party after due process and accused him of allowing himself to be used for political purposes.
Mgbudem renewed the party’s demand for the immediate release of its members allegedly being held in different locations, arguing that there was no justification for their continued detention after the election.
“We in the party, we see all the things they are doing as political intimidation. And that is why I said the election is over. There is no need to keep holding those people in detention,” he said.
He urged the relevant authorities to release the detained party members, candidates and supporters, insisting that their continued detention was against their fundamental rights.
Mgbudem described the election as a victory for the people of Osun State, saying, “There is no victor, no vanquished.”
He said the Accord Party would work towards strengthening democracy and improving the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general election.
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