Ayomide Awe
The Accord Party has petitioned the European Union to intervene in the escalating political tension in Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, alleging that at least 29 people have been killed in violence linked to the political crisis.
The party also claimed that more than 60 of its members and supporters had been arrested and detained in Abuja and Nasarawa State, raising concerns over what it described as the alleged selective deployment of federal law-enforcement and regulatory agencies during the election period.
The National Chairman of Accord, Maxwell Mgbudem, made the allegations in a letter dated August 12, 2026, and addressed to the Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Migot.
In the petition, Mgbudem alleged that the political atmosphere in Osun had deteriorated significantly, with incidents of violence, intimidation, harassment and arrests of political actors and supporters.
He urged the EU to use its diplomatic influence to encourage Nigerian authorities to de-escalate the situation and ensure that all political parties are given a level playing field ahead of the poll.
The party, however, said its concerns should not be interpreted as opposition to legitimate investigations or lawful enforcement actions.
Rather, it questioned the timing and manner of some actions by government institutions, arguing that perceived selectivity during an election could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
“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 petition stated.
Fadahunsi video raises fresh concern
Accord also raised concerns over alleged threats against its members, citing a viral video involving Senator Francis Fadahunsi.
The party alleged that the senator called for Accord members to be killed wherever they were found.
The allegation comes amid heightened political tensions as political parties intensify their campaigns and mobilisation ahead of the governorship election.
Accord called for the EU and other stakeholders to pay close attention to developments in the state and encourage all parties and their supporters to avoid actions capable of triggering further violence.
Mgbudem said the party was particularly concerned that continued intimidation and attacks could undermine voters’ ability to freely participate in the election.
Party seeks diplomatic intervention
The Accord chairman appealed to the EU to publicly reaffirm its support for a free, fair, transparent, credible and peaceful election in Osun.
He said the outcome of the election should be determined solely by the freely expressed will of the electorate.
“Specifically, we respectfully request that the European Union publicly reaffirm the importance of a free, fair, transparent, credible, and peaceful election in Osun state, with the outcome determined solely by the freely expressed will of the electorate,” the party said.
Mgbudem further advocated what he described as preventive diplomacy, arguing that early intervention by international stakeholders could help prevent the political situation from deteriorating further.
According to him, a timely intervention by the EU would send a strong signal that political competition must be conducted peacefully and within the confines of democratic principles and the rule of law.
The allegations by Accord come just days before the Osun governorship election, putting renewed focus on security, political tolerance and the protection of voters and political actors during the electoral process.
However, the claims of 29 deaths, the alleged arrests of more than 60 Accord members and the allegations concerning the viral video were contained in the party’s petition and had not, in the material available for this report, been independently verified.
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