By Luminous Jannamike
ABUJA — Accord on Thursday accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Osun State Police Command of using intimidation to undermine the August 15 governorship election, claiming that about 100 of its leaders, candidates and supporters had been arrested in what it described as a politically motivated crackdown aimed at weakening its campaign.
Insisting it would not be cowed, the party declared: “No brute force will break the resolve of the people of Osun from identifying with Accord and its candidate in the upcoming gubernatorial poll. In the end, the ballot is stronger than the bullet.”
In a statement by its National Chairman, Barr. Maxwell Mgbudem, Accord alleged that some of those arrested had been transferred to Abuja, saying the action was intended to frustrate, weaken and dampen the party’s campaign across the state.
The party said campaigning for the August 15 poll had become increasingly difficult, alleging that arrests, intimidation and police actions were replacing the level playing field expected in a democratic contest. It renewed its demand for the removal of Osun State Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan, insisting that only a change in the police leadership could guarantee a credible election.
