Blessing Bello, Reporting
THE opposition party has urged the President to intervene, claiming its members face harassment and unlawful arrests with just weeks to go before the governorship poll.
Ahead of the 15 August governorship election, the Accord Party has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in what it terms the harassment, intimidation, and persecution of its leaders and members in Osun State.
The appeal was made on Sunday during a press conference addressed by the Accord candidate for Ede Federal Constituency, Hon. Bamidele Salam, who spoke on behalf of the party’s National and State Assembly candidates.
He alleged that some members had been subjected to unlawful arrests and intimidation, urging the President to direct the Inspector-General of Police and other heads of security agencies to remain neutral, professional, and uphold the rule of law.
Salam specifically demanded the immediate release of its House of Representatives candidate for Ijesa South Federal Constituency, Alaba Ibrahim Popoola, and Sodiq Akinola Olaniyan, described as a law-abiding law student allegedly detained over allegations of cyberstalking.
The party also called for the release of all persons it claims were arrested without lawful justification in various parts of the state.
The party further accused the Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, of allegedly collaborating with Senator Fadahunsi to witch-hunt Accord leaders.
In response, Salam called on the Inspector-General of Police to launch an investigation into the matter.
“We call on the National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria Bar Association, the National Peace Committee, the Media, and other bodies to raise a voice and act in defence of the peace-loving people of Osun State who are currently under APC political siege aided by officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force,” he stated.
Despite the allegations, Salam reaffirmed the party’s commitment to peaceful, issue-based, and democratic participation in the forthcoming elections.
He also called upon the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Service Commission, INEC, and civil society organisations to closely monitor developments in Osun State before the situation escalates further.
“History will judge every institution and every individual according to the role they played at this critical moment,” he added.
