Osun 2026: Accord seeks AU, UN, EU intervention over security concerns

The ruling Accord Party in Osun State has called on the African Union (AU), United Nations (UN), European Union (EU), as well as the United States and British governments, to intervene over the security situation in the state ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

 

The party alleged a pattern of political violence, arrests and intimidation capable of undermining the credibility of the poll.

 

The call was made by the Secretary of the South-West Forum of the Accord Party and Lagos State Chairman, Dele Oladeji, in a statement issued on Sunday.

 

Oladeji urged the international community to closely monitor developments in Osun State and engage Nigerian authorities to ensure the protection of political actors, equal treatment of all parties and a peaceful electoral process.

 

He alleged that politically motivated attacks had increased since campaigns for the governorship election commenced, claiming that Accord members, government officials and relatives of Governor Ademola Adeleke had been targeted.

 

According to him, the attacks had resulted in deaths and injuries, including the killing of a 14-year-old boy.

 

“In the last couple of months, since the beginning of electioneering in Osun State for the August 15, 2026, governorship election, there has been a steady and rising rate of politically motivated, brutal and fatal attacks on Accord members, leaders, as well as officials of the ruling class in Osun State Government and even family members of the governor.

 

“These fatal attacks have led to loss of lives, including that of a 14-year-old boy, as well as several others. These politically motivated brutal killings have become one too many,” he said.

 

Oladeji alleged that the absence of arrests and prosecutions in connection with the attacks had heightened concerns over the ability of security agencies to protect political stakeholders.

 

He further accused the Federal Government and security agencies of failing to respond adequately, alleging that some suspects linked to the attacks remained free and were being protected by armed police officers.

 

The Accord chieftain also criticised the arrest of the Secretary to the Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, on July 29 over allegations of vote-buying, describing the action as politically motivated.

 

Igbalaye was later released by the police.

 

“How can the SSG be arrested for vote buying when there is no activity for casting any vote at this time? Though he has been released, his arrest only added to the over one hundred unfounded arrests of Accord members and political office holders,” he said.

 

Oladeji also alleged that 61 Accord members remained in police custody after being arrested in Osun State and transferred to the Federal Capital Territory without being formally charged or arraigned before a court.

 

He further accused the Nigeria Police Force of political bias, alleging that it was being used to favour the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the election.

 

The allegations contained in the statement have not been independently verified.

 

Oladeji called on the AU, UN, EU, United States and the United Kingdom to intervene before the election, saying international attention was necessary to safeguard democratic governance and the integrity of the electoral process.

 

He also urged the Nigeria Police to remain politically neutral and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free, fair and impartial election.