Accord Party urges removal of Osun CP Gotan over arrests

The Accord Party has formally petitioned President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, alleging a politically motivated campaign of intimidation by police in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election. In a statement issued on Thursday, July 30, the party's National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, accused the Osun State Police Command of arresting and detaining approximately 100 of its leaders, candidates, members, and supporters, with some allegedly transferred to Abuja.

The party renewed its demand for the immediate removal of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, alleging he has abandoned neutrality and is acting in concert with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to undermine the electoral process. Accord claims the arrests are designed to frustrate and weaken its grassroots campaign for the election.

Mgbudem stated that previous complaints about violent attacks on the party's Imole Campaign Council, its offices, supporters, and campaign billboards were ignored by security agencies. He alleged that known perpetrators associated with the APC were never arrested, creating an environment of impunity. The party...