Candidates representing the Accord party for state and national legislative seats in Osun State have raised concerns regarding targeted harassment and politically motivated arrests by local law enforcement. During a press briefing in Osogbo, Bamidele Salam, the candidate for Ede Federal Constituency, voiced these complaints on behalf of his colleagues, urging Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu and INEC to step in before the August 15, 2026, gubernatorial vote.
Salam pointed specifically to the detention of Ijesa South Federal Constituency candidate Popoola Alaba, who was moved to Abuja following his apprehension. The party maintains that the police have not provided transparent details regarding the accusations against Alaba or the petitioner involved. Furthermore, the party reported that an operative named Olaniyan Sodiq was detained in Ido-Osun after opposing irregularities in the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards.
The Accord party claims to have intelligence indicating a wider operation to target other officials, including Senatorial candidate Ibukun Fadipe. Calling for the immediate release of those held, the party has requested that President Bola Tinubu ensure security forces act neutrally. They also appealed to the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigerian Bar Association, and civil society groups to keep a close watch on the state to protect the integrity of the upcoming election process.
