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The Accord Party has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to release its leaders, candidates, members and supporters allegedly arrested before and during the just concluded Osun State gubernatorial elections.
The National Chairman of the party, Chief Maxwell Mgbudem, made the demand in Osogbo, while reacting to the victory of Governor Ademola Adeleke in the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
It was gathered that the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC declared Adeleke, of the Accord Party, the winner of the 2026 governorship election after securing 511,067 while his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, recorded 444,815 votes.
Mgbudem described the election as a triumph of democratic participation, but said the continued detention of Accord members after the poll was unacceptable and amounted to a violation of their fundamental rights.
He urged the police authorities to end the detention of the party’s members, arguing that the election had been concluded and there was no justification for keeping them in custody.
He said, “Accord demands the immediate release of all its leaders, candidates, members and supporters arrested and detained in Abuja, Nasarawa and Osun States in flagrant violation of their fundamental rights as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.
“It is in the interest of justice and equity to release them immediately. The election is over, there is no need for their detention. The Inspector General of Police is urged to act accordingly.”
He however commended candidates of various political parties who stepped down in support of Adeleke, describing the development as a demonstration of political alliance, cooperation and patriotism.
He urged all political parties, candidates, members and supporters to close ranks and work with the Accord-led government, stressing that the interest of Osun State should supersede individual and political interests.
He added that, “Accord commends all Nigerians, the civil society organisations, local and foreign election observers, the international community, the electoral umpire and security agencies who prioritised electoral integrity and transparency, and upheld democratic values, ethics, ethos and ideals during the Osun gubernatorial poll. We did it all together, and once again made Nigeria proud. The election is over. The people of Osun State have won. There is no victor, no vanquished.
“Accord commends the candidates of various political parties who stepped down for the party’s Governor Ademola Adeleke, sending a strong signal of political alliance, cooperation and partnership that will deepen the nation’s democracy. It’s patriotism redefined in the quest for sustainable democracy and development in Nigeria.”
