The Accord Party has called on the European Union to intervene in the political crisis in Osun State, alleging rising violence, intimidation and arbitrary arrests of its members ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The party made the appeal in a letter dated August 12, 2026, and addressed to the EU Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Migot.
The letter was signed by the party’s National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem.
Accord urged the EU to deploy its diplomatic influence towards ensuring that the August 15 election is free, fair, peaceful and credible.
The party’s appeal followed alleged incidents of political violence in the state, including a viral video involving Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District.
Fadahunsi was reportedly heard making comments interpreted as a call for violence against members of Accord. He later explained that his remark was metaphorical and meant that the party should be defeated at the ballot box.
Accord, however, said the controversy had increased apprehension among its supporters as the election approaches.
The party alleged that its members had faced repeated attacks, harassment, arrests and intimidation, warning that the situation could affect their participation in the election.
It claimed that no fewer than 29 people had been killed and several others wounded in incidents allegedly linked to the state’s tense political environment.
Accord further alleged that more than 60 of its members and supporters were arrested and detained in Abuja and Nasarawa State.
The party demanded clarification on the arrests and called for independent scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding the detentions.
It also questioned the activities of some federal agencies in Osun during the election period, citing reported searches of residences of senior government officials, arrests and the freezing of the state government’s bank accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
According to the party, the officials were subsequently released and the accounts unfrozen after public intervention.
Accord said it recognised the statutory responsibilities of security and anti-corruption agencies but insisted that such powers must be exercised without political interference.
It argued that enforcement actions taken during an election could damage public confidence where there were perceptions of bias or selective application of the law.
The party therefore appealed to the EU to encourage federal institutions and security agencies to maintain neutrality and professionalism throughout the electoral process.
It also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to remain impartial and called on security agencies to respect citizens’ fundamental rights.
The party asked the EU to support credible domestic and international election observation, while urging all contestants to accept the outcome or seek redress through the courts.
Accord said the circumstances required preventive diplomacy, stressing that intervention before the election would be preferable to responding after possible violence had occurred.
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The party described the August 15 poll as a crucial test of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and their ability to guarantee voters a free choice without fear or intimidation.
It stressed that its request to the EU was not aimed at securing support for Accord but at protecting democratic values, political pluralism and the rights of Osun voters.
