The Accord Party has appealed to the European Union (EU) 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 and supporters.
The party made the appeal in a letter dated August 12, 2026, signed by its National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, and addressed to the EU Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Migot.
Accord urged the EU to use its diplomatic influence to promote a free, fair, credible and peaceful election in the state.
The appeal followed concerns raised by the party over alleged political violence, including a viral video in which Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, was reported to have called for Accord members to be killed. Fadahunsi has since denied that he was calling for physical violence, saying his comment was metaphorical.
Accord Raises Alarm Over Alleged Attacks
The party said the alleged statement had increased fears among its members and supporters ahead of the election.
Accord also alleged a wider pattern of attacks, arrests, harassment and intimidation involving its members.
“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,” the party said.
The party claimed that at least 29 people had been killed, while several others sustained gunshot injuries in incidents it linked to the political environment in Osun.
It further 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.
Accord also raised concerns over what it described as the perceived selective involvement of federal law-enforcement and regulatory agencies in the state’s political environment.
The party cited the searches of residences of some senior Osun 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 (EFCC).
It noted that the officials were later released and the accounts unfrozen following public concern and intervention.
Party Calls for EU Preventive Diplomacy
Accord said it was not opposed to legitimate investigations or enforcement actions by security and anti-corruption agencies, but argued that such actions must be conducted transparently and without political interference.
“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,” the party said.
The party urged the EU to encourage the Federal Government, security agencies and other public institutions to maintain neutrality and professionalism throughout the electoral process.
It also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct its responsibilities independently and impartially, while urging security agencies to respect fundamental rights and due process.
Accord further asked the EU to support credible domestic and international observation of the election and encourage political actors to accept the outcome or seek redress through legally established electoral dispute-resolution mechanisms.
The party stressed that preventive diplomacy was needed before the election rather than intervention after violence had occurred.
“The present situation calls for preventive diplomacy rather than intervention after the damage has been done,” it said.
Accord maintained that its appeal was not for the EU to support the party or any candidate but to protect democratic principles, political pluralism and the right of Osun residents to freely choose their leaders.
