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Accord Party candidates for the National Assembly and Osun State House of Assembly have accused the police of carrying out politically motivated arrests and intimidating members of the party.

The candidates appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and other relevant stakeholders to intervene ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election in the state.

The allegations were contained in a press conference held on Sunday in Osogbo and addressed by the Accord candidate for Ede Federal Constituency, Bamidele Salam, who spoke on behalf of the party’s National and State Assembly candidates.

Salam alleged that recent actions by the police suggested a pattern of political bias, claiming that leading figures and members of the Accord Party were being singled out through what he described as baseless arrests and unfounded accusations.

He referenced the arrest of the party’s House of Representatives candidate for Ijesa South Federal Constituency, Popoola Alaba, noting that the politician was subsequently moved to Abuja after being taken into custody.

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 further questioned whether Alaba had been invited for questioning before his arrest, asking if due process and formal invitations had been abandoned in investigations involving political actors.

Salam also alleged that Olaniyan Sodiq, identified as an Accord operative from Ward 4 in Ido-Osun, Egbedore Local Government Area, was arrested after objecting to what he described as unlawful interference in INEC’s distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

He demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Sodiq, while also calling for the freedom of Alaba and other individuals the party claimed were detained without lawful justification.

The Accord candidates further alleged that intelligence available to the party indicated plans to arrest more of its leaders, including Osun East Senatorial candidate, Ibukun Fadipe, adding that there were reports suggesting collaboration between some security personnel and political actors to target Accord members.

They urged the Inspector-General of Police to order a thorough investigation into the allegations.

Salam also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure all security agencies remain impartial, professional and committed to upholding the rule of law before, during and after the Osun governorship election.

The party equally called on the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the National Peace Committee, civil society organisations and the media to closely monitor events in Osun State and help protect the democratic rights of citizens.

The Accord candidates further alleged that there were plans to deploy unauthorised security operatives and recruit thugs to intimidate voters, urging security agencies to investigate the claims.

They reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful, issue-based and democratic participation in the forthcoming governorship election.

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