The national leadership of Accord has called for the immediate removal of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, accusing him of failing to stem rising political violence and killings ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election in the state.
The party said it had lost confidence in the police chief’s ability to safeguard lives and property, alleging that its members and supporters had repeatedly come under attack from suspected thugs linked to the All Progressives Congress.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Joseph Omorogbe, Accord alleged that armed political thugs had been operating openly in Osogbo, Ede and other parts of the state, harassing, intimidating and attacking residents, particularly members of the party.
The party claimed that despite several reports made to security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Services, no arrests or prosecutions had been carried out.
According to Accord, the failure to bring perpetrators to justice has emboldened criminal elements and worsened insecurity in the state.
The party further alleged that several of its leaders, members and supporters had either been killed or injured in politically motivated attacks. It also cited attacks on its state secretariat, the Imole Campaign Council office and campaign billboards as evidence of what it described as escalating political violence.
Accord particularly condemned the killing of a 14-year-old boy, Ezekiel Olapade, who was reportedly shot dead on June 21 at Ilobu in Irepodun Local Government Area.
The party alleged that the incident occurred when suspected political thugs opened fire after sighting an Accord supporter wearing a party cap.
It said the teenager was killed while attempting to assist his mother as residents fled from the gunfire.
Describing the incident as “despicable and inhuman,” the party called on President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS and the National Security Adviser to intervene urgently to restore peace and public safety in Osun State.
Accord insisted that the Inspector-General of Police should immediately redeploy the state police commissioner, alleging that he had failed to discharge his responsibilities impartially and effectively.
The party also urged politicians to shun violence, bitterness and brigandage, stressing that elections should be decided through the ballot and not through intimidation or bloodshed.
“Politics is not a do-or-die affair. The ambition of any politician is not worth the blood of innocent citizens,” the statement said.
Accord warned that any attempt to undermine democratic participation in the forthcoming governorship election would amount to an attack on Nigeria’s democracy.
The party, however, urged residents to remain calm, law-abiding and committed to peaceful democratic engagement as preparations for the election gather momentum.
Source: People’s Daily NG
