The Accord Party has asked the European Union to step in to ease rising political tension in Osun State days before the August 15 governorship election.
In a letter dated August 12, 2026 and signed by National Chairman Maxwell Mgbudem, the party appealed to EU Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Migot, to use diplomatic influence to ensure a free, fair and peaceful poll.
Accord cited what it described as a pattern of attacks, arrests and harassment targeting its members. The party referenced a viral video in which Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East, was alleged to have called for Accord members to be killed.
Fadahunsi has since denied making the statement. Accord said the clip has heightened fear among supporters.
The party also raised broader concerns about the electoral environment. It claimed at least 29 people have died and several others suffered gunshot injuries in incidents linked to politics in the state.
It further alleged that more than 60 Accord members and supporters were arrested and held in Abuja and Nasarawa, and called for independent scrutiny of those detentions.
Accord also flagged the actions of federal institutions during the election period.
It pointed to searches of residences of senior Osun State Government officials, the arrest of some officials, and the reported freezing and later unfreezing of state government accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The party said it does not oppose legitimate law enforcement, but argued that the timing and selectivity of such actions could undermine public confidence if not impartial and transparent.
“We are particularly concerned that these actions could have the effect of weakening the ability of the Party and its members to participate effectively in the electoral process and of compromising the level playing field required for a credible election,” the letter stated.
Accord urged the EU to encourage the Federal Government, security agencies and INEC to remain neutral and professional, and to support credible domestic and international observation. It also asked political actors to accept results or seek redress through legal channels.
Calling for preventive diplomacy, the party said intervention before the vote was preferable to action after violence.
It stressed that its request was not for endorsement of any candidate, but for protection of democratic principles and the right of Osun residents to vote without fear.
