Osun Election: Accord alleges 29 deaths, seeks EU intervention

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OSOGBO — The Accord Party has appealed to the European Union (EU) to monitor the political situation in Osun State and use its diplomatic influence to promote a peaceful and credible governorship election scheduled for Saturday.

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The party made the appeal in a letter dated August 12, 2026, and addressed to Gautier Migot, Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS.

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In the letter signed by the National Chairman of the party, Maxwell Mgbudem, Accord alleged that the political atmosphere in the state had deteriorated ahead of the election, citing reports of violence, arrests, intimidation and harassment of political actors and supporters.

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Mgbudem claimed that at least 29 persons had been killed in incidents allegedly connected with the political situation in the state, while several others were injured.

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He further alleged that more than 60 members and supporters of the Accord Party had been arrested and detained in Abuja and Nasarawa State.

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The party chairman also raised concerns over what he described as the selective deployment of federal law enforcement and regulatory institutions during the election period.

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He, however, stressed that the party was not opposed to legitimate investigations or lawful enforcement actions, but expressed concern about the timing and manner in which such actions were allegedly being carried out.

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“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 letter stated.

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Mgbudem also alleged that Accord members had been subjected to attacks, harassment and intimidation.

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He cited a viral video in which Senator Francis Fadahunsi was alleged to have called for Accord members to be killed wherever they were found.

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The senator had previously denied the allegation.

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Against this backdrop, the Accord chairman urged the EU to take the allegations into consideration and use its diplomatic influence to encourage Nigerian authorities to guarantee a level playing field for all political parties participating in the election.

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“It is against this background that we respectfully appeal to the European Union delegation to consider using its good offices and diplomatic influence to encourage the immediate de-escalation of the political situation in Osun State,” Mgbudem said.

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The party also urged the EU to publicly support a free, fair, transparent and peaceful election, with the outcome determined solely by the votes of the electorate.

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“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 stated.

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Mgbudem said the proposed intervention should focus on preventive diplomacy, arguing that early international engagement could help prevent further escalation of tensions before the election.

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He added that a timely intervention by the EU would reinforce the need for political competition to remain peaceful, democratic and guided by the rule of law.

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