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The Accord Party has appealed to the European Union to intervene in the escalating political tension in Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, citing alleged attacks, arrests and intimidation of its members.
The party, in a letter dated August 12, 2026 and signed by its National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, and addressed to the EU Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Migot, urged the EU to use its diplomatic influence to promote a free, fair, credible and peaceful election, reports The PUNCH.
The appeal followed the party’s concerns over alleged political violence in the state, including a viral video in which Senator representing Osun East Senatorial District, Francis Fadahunsi, was reported to have called for Accord members to be killed, a comment he later denied.
Accord Party said the alleged statement had heightened fears among its members and supporters ahead of the election.
The party said, “Accord is deeply concerned about reports of political violence, intimidation, arrests, harassment and deployment of State institutions and security agencies in ways that have heightened political tension and generated considerable apprehension among political actors and citizens in the State.
“Accord and its members have, regrettably, become increasingly concerned that they are being subjected to what we consider a pattern of attacks, arrests, harassment and intimidation. More worrisome is the viral video where a sitting Senator ordered that Accord members should be killed wherever they are sited.”
It added that such actions could “weaken the ability of the Party and its members to participate effectively in the electoral process” and compromise the level playing field required for a credible election.
“We are particularly concerned that these actions could have the effect, whether intended or otherwise, of weakening the ability of the Party and its members to participate effectively in the electoral process and of compromising the level playing field required for a credible election, “the party said.
The party claimed that at least 29 people had lost their lives, while several others sustained gunshot injuries in incidents connected with the political environment in Osun.
It also alleged that more than 60 Accord members and supporters were arrested and detained in Abuja and Nasarawa state, calling for urgent clarification and independent scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding the arrests.
The party further raised concerns over what it described as the perceived selective involvement of federal law-enforcement and regulatory institutions in the political environment.
The party cited the searches of residences of some senior Osun State Government officials, the arrest of some officials and the reported freezing of the state government’s bank accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
It noted that the officials were subsequently released and the accounts unfrozen following public concern and intervention.
The party, however, said it was not opposed to legitimate investigations or enforcement actions by law-enforcement agencies.
“Accord respectfully acknowledges that law-enforcement and anti-corruption institutions have legitimate constitutional and statutory responsibilities which must be discharged without political interference.
“However, the timing, manner and perceived selectivity of actions by public institutions during an election period are capable of undermining public confidence if they are not demonstrably impartial, transparent and consistent with due process,” it said.
The party urged the EU to encourage the federal government, security agencies and other public institutions to maintain political neutrality and professionalism throughout the electoral process.
It also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to discharge its responsibilities independently and impartially, while urging security agencies to respect fundamental rights and due process.
The party further asked the EU to support credible domestic and international observation of the election and encourage political actors to accept the outcome or pursue grievances through legally established electoral dispute-resolution mechanisms.
The party stressed the need for preventive diplomacy, saying international intervention before the election would be preferable to action after violence had occurred.
“The present situation calls for preventive diplomacy rather than intervention after the damage has been done,” it said.
The party said the August 15 election would be an important test of Nigeria’s ability to conduct elections in which institutions remain neutral and citizens can vote without fear.
The party maintained that its appeal was not for the EU to support Accord or any other candidate but to protect democratic principles, political pluralism and the right of Osun residents to freely choose their leaders.
