The Accord Party has urged the Federal Government and security agencies to avoid actions capable of undermining the credibility of the August 15 Osun State governorship election, insisting that elections should not be treated like warfare.
The party also renewed its call for the resignation of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, following the agency’s now-reversed decision to freeze the Osun State Government’s bank account.
Speaking at a world press conference in Abuja on Friday, Accord National Chairman, Chief Maxwell Mgbudem, accused the EFCC of acting beyond its constitutional powers and interfering in the state’s electoral process.
According to him, the commission’s decision to freeze the state’s account heightened political tension and weakened public confidence in democratic institutions.
Mgbudem maintained that the EFCC leadership had lost the party’s confidence and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove the anti-graft agency’s chairman if he refuses to resign.
“The EFCC chairman should toe the path of honour and tender his resignation. If he fails to resign, President Tinubu should sack him immediately,” he said.
The Accord chairman alleged that the account freeze came amid months of political intimidation, violence and harassment against members and supporters of the party in Osun State.
He also claimed that party offices and campaign billboards had been attacked by suspected political thugs, accusing security agencies of failing to prevent the incidents or arrest those responsible.
According to Mgbudem, the party initially welcomed the deployment of a new Commissioner of Police to Osun State but argued that the EFCC’s intervention further escalated political tensions.
Despite his criticisms, the Accord chairman commended President Tinubu for directing the EFCC to reverse the account freeze, describing the intervention as a step that helped prevent a deeper political crisis.
He, however, warned against the use of federal institutions to influence the outcome of the forthcoming governorship election.
“Electoral contest is not warfare. It should not be militarised by deploying federal apparatuses to suppress, subdue and oppress political opponents,” Mgbudem stated.
The party insisted that the people of Osun State should be allowed to freely choose their next governor without intimidation or interference.
Accord described Osun as one of its political strongholds and expressed confidence that Governor Ademola Adeleke deserves another term based on what it described as his administration’s performance.
The party further alleged that there had been previous attempts to weaken Adeleke’s government through legal and political means, including efforts to deregister Accord and other political parties.
Mgbudem also accused some individuals of attempting to frustrate local government administration and create instability within the state.
Ahead of the August 15 election, Accord urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free, fair, transparent and credible poll.
The party also called on security agencies to remain neutral and limit their role to protecting lives, maintaining law and order, and ensuring a peaceful voting process.
Accord appealed to civil society organisations, election observers, the media, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), development partners and the international community to closely monitor the election and speak out against any action capable of undermining its credibility.
The party also called on President Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police to facilitate the release of about 60 Accord members reportedly detained in Abuja, Osun and Nasarawa states, saying their release would help reduce political tension ahead of the poll.
Mgbudem expressed confidence that Accord is fully prepared for the governorship election and believes the party will emerge victorious.
