Unlawful Arrest and Detention of Over 86 Accord Party Members Expose APC's Fear of Electoral Defeat — Imole Campaign Council.

Osogbo — July 30, 2026 | AccordWatch

The Imole Campaign Council has condemned in the strongest terms the arrest and detention of over 86 Accord Parmembers across Osun State, alleging the operation was carried out by security operatives acting in collaboration with the APC and the state police command.

In a press statement issued Thursday, the Council said its findings showed that those arrested included party stakeholders, ward coordinators, polling unit agents, and volunteers who were engaged in peaceful voter sensitisation, sharing the party's manifesto, and highlighting the record of its gubernatorial candidate, Governor Ademola Adeleke. It alleged the arrests were carried out without warrants, with some individuals allegedly assaulted and subjected to degrading treatment.

The Council described the operation as a coordinated attempt to cripple Accord's grassroots structure and prevent its canvassers from engaging voters ahead of the August 15 election, but insisted the effort had failed, arguing that the people of Osun had taken ownership of the campaign and remained its strongest advocates.

"It is interesting that the Osun APC claims to be popular and loved by the people, yet it has orchestrated the arrest of over 86 citizens, through the support of the police, simply because they support the Accord Party and the re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke. This is not the conduct of a party confident of victory. It is the conduct of a party terrified of defeat," the statement read.

The Council called on the Nigeria Police Force, and specifically the Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, to uphold the law and respect citizens' constitutional rights to freedom of association, freedom of movement, and political participation, arguing that these rights cannot be set aside for partisan purposes.

It further argued that resorting to arrests rather than democratic engagement signalled a preference for intimidation over competition, and urged the people of Osun and Nigerians more broadly to reject what it called a slide into authoritarian politics.

The Council appealed to the Inspector General of Police, international election observers, and civil society organisations to take note of the developments, monitor the situation, and ensure the safety of citizens exercising their democratic rights.

It maintained that intimidation would not sway the outcome of the election, stating that the party remained committed to issue-based campaigning, peaceful mobilisation, and respect for the will of the electorate, while urging its members to remain calm and law-abiding in the face of what it described as unlawful arrests.

Signed:

Pelumi Olajengbesi Esq.

Spokesperson, The Imole Campaign Council, Osun State