ACCORD CONDEMNS EFCC FREEZING OF OSUN STATE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS DAYS TO GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION, VOWS LEGAL CHALLENGE

The national leadership of Accord has condemned in strong terms the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arbitrary freezing of Osun State Government accounts ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.

In a statement issued from the National Secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday, the party described the action as an injustice, illegality, impunity and recklessness that shall not stand.

Chief Maxwell Mgbudem, the National Chairman of Accord, said the unconstitutional action of the EFCC would be challenged in court as the temple of justice and last hope of all aggrieved citizens.

Mgbudem noted that the anti-graft agency could not obtain a court order to freeze the government accounts, conscious of the fact that the court would not grant it, in a haste to cripple the state.

The party said the EFCC is acting a script along with the police in the state to paralyze and frustrate government activities to pave the way for the opposition All Progressives Congress.

Mgbudem said the timing of this grand plot to destabilise the state ahead of the gubernatorial poll is evident, adding that it is part of a wider plot to use the police and federal agencies to capture Osun State for the APC which the people have since rejected having brought untold hardship and misery to them.

Accord had earlier raised alarm of the plot to deploy federal might to subdue Osun residents and make the state ungovernable, and Mgbudem said the EFCC reprehensible action days to the crucial election is one of them.

He said like other plots against the good people of Osun State, it shall fail, expressing confidence that the rule of law will again prevail as obtainable in the infamous plot to de-register the party along with four others.

Mgbudem said Nigerians will continue to resist glaring assaults on the nation’s hard-earned democracy by reactionary forces, and called on President Bola Tinubu to allow a free, fair, credible and peaceful governorship election in Osun State on August 15, 2026.

He urged the president to ensure that security agencies particularly the police are neutral, impartial and professional in their conduct before, during and after the poll.

The Accord national chairman said as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Tinubu is obliged to safeguard lives and property in the federation and ensure security agencies do not violate their rules of engagement in this critical civic exercise.

He lamented that political tension is high in Osun State due to glaring police interference, harassment, intimidation, arrest and detention of Accord members and supporters across the state as if Osun is at war.

Mgbudem said the police have become so partisan and desperate in their support for the opposition APC in the state which makes their neutrality questionable, describing it as unpatriotic, unprofessional and unacceptable.

He said election ought to be the beauty of democratic governance and not a war front, adding that there is no need for the rule of might in citizens quest for political participation.

The party said Nigerians will not tolerate any manipulation of Osun governorship election to impose an unpopular candidate on the people, insisting that voters should be allowed to make their choices.

Mgbudem said the party will no longer stand by and watch its members being maltreated and killed because of their political affiliation often in the presence of security agents, and stressed that the ambition of any politician does not worth the blood of fellow compatriots.

He called for an end to the politics of bitterness and brigandage forthwith, and urged the president to call to order the overzealous security agents, the EFCC and anti-democratic forces in Osun State, and ensure that INEC is given a free hand to conduct the governorship election.

Mgbudem demanded the unconditional release of all Accord members and supporters detained in Abuja, Osun and Nasarawa States in flagrant violation of their fundamental rights as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.

He said citizens right to freely choose their governor is sacrosanct, and their mandate must be respected by all, warning that Osun people will resist any attempt to rig or manipulate the governorship election.

Mgbudem said it is wisdom to learn from the past gubernatorial polls in the western region, avoid political upheavals and tow the path of patriotism, dignity, integrity and professionalism in the conduct of the election.

The Accord chairman said Osun residents are peace-loving and want to participate in the election devoid of fear of police harassment and arrest, and urged President Tinubu to allow a free election, noting that it will be to his credit that the Osun governorship is credible, transparent and acceptable.

He declared that Governor Adeleke remains the peoples choice any day and will be re-elected to continue his transformative leadership, adding that building a better Osun State is a task that must be done on the platform of Accord. Mgbudem concluded by saying, together, we will make it happen.