The Accord Party has appealed to the European Union (EU) to intervene diplomatically over alleged political violence, intimidation, arrests and harassment ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
The party said the prevailing political atmosphere had created fear among political actors and residents, warning that the alleged developments could undermine a peaceful and credible electoral process.
In a statement, Accord said its members had increasingly become victims of what it described as a pattern of attacks, arrests, harassment and intimidation.
The party also expressed concern over a viral video in which it alleged that a serving senator ordered that Accord members should be killed wherever they were found.
Accord said such alleged actions could weaken its ability to participate effectively in the election and undermine the level playing field required for a credible poll.
The party claimed that at least 29 people had lost their lives, while several others sustained gunshot injuries in incidents linked to the political environment in Osun State.
It further alleged that more than 60 Accord members and supporters had been arrested and detained in Abuja and Nasarawa State, calling for urgent clarification and independent scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding the arrests.
The party also raised concerns over what it described as the perceived selective involvement of federal law-enforcement and regulatory institutions in the state’s political affairs.
Accord cited the searches of residences belonging to some senior Osun State Government officials, the arrest of some officials and the reported freezing of state government bank accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
It noted that the affected officials were subsequently released and the accounts unfrozen following public concern and intervention.
The party, however, stressed that it was not opposed to legitimate investigations or lawful enforcement actions by government agencies.
Accord acknowledged that law-enforcement and anti-corruption institutions have constitutional and statutory responsibilities, but warned that their activities during an election period must be impartial, transparent and consistent with due process.
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The party urged the EU to encourage the Federal Government, security agencies and other public institutions to maintain neutrality and professionalism throughout the electoral process.
It also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to discharge its responsibilities independently and impartially, while urging security agencies to respect fundamental rights and due process.
Accord further appealed to the EU to support credible domestic and international observation of the election and encourage political actors to accept the outcome or seek redress through legally established electoral dispute-resolution mechanisms.
The party advocated preventive diplomacy, arguing that international engagement before the election would be preferable to intervention after violence had occurred.
“The present situation calls for preventive diplomacy rather than intervention after the damage has been done,” Accord said.
The party described the August 15 election as an important test of Nigeria’s ability to conduct elections in which public institutions remain neutral and citizens can vote without fear.
Accord maintained that its appeal was not for the EU to support the party or any candidate, but to protect democratic principles, political pluralism and the right of Osun residents to freely choose their leaders.