Lawmakers elected on the platform of the Accord Party in Osun State have raised concerns over an alleged plan by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to foment violence and create insecurity ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.
Addressing a press conference in Osogbo on Friday, members of the Accord National and State Assembly Caucus, comprising seven National Assembly members and 25 members of the Osun State House of Assembly, claimed they had received credible intelligence indicating that APC governorship candidate, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, and leaders of the party were plotting to orchestrate large-scale violence across the state.
The lawmakers alleged that the planned attacks would target Accord members and supporters, disrupt campaign activities, destroy party property, and heighten tensions in the state. They further claimed that the objective was to create a security crisis that could lead to the declaration of a state of emergency before the conduct of the governorship election.
According to the caucus, recent incidents of political violence, including the killing of an Accord member in Irewole Local Government Area and the shooting of the party’s chairman in Osogbo Local Government, were part of a broader pattern of attacks against their members. They accused security agencies, particularly the Osun State Police Command, of failing to act decisively against perpetrators despite alleged evidence linking suspects to the incidents.
The lawmakers also criticised the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Gothan, accusing him of partisanship and inadequate commitment to maintaining security in the state. They alleged that the police command had failed to arrest individuals responsible for attacks on Accord supporters and the vandalisation of campaign materials.As part of their demands, the caucus called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu, to immediately redeploy the Osun Commissioner of Police.
They also urged security agencies to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in political violence and appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure neutrality and professionalism among security personnel before, during, and after the election.The lawmakers further appealed to civil society organisations, election observers, the media, the National Peace Committee, and the international community to closely monitor developments in Osun State as the governorship election approaches.
Speaking on behalf of the caucus, Senator Akogun Kamorudeen Lere Oyewumi, House of Representatives member Bamidele Salam, and Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, maintained that the people of Osun State desire a peaceful and democratic electoral process. They warned against any attempt to undermine democracy through violence, intimidation, or unconstitutional means and called for proactive measures to safeguard peace in the state.
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