* Peter Obi condemns threat-laden remarks, urges retraction, peaceful election Sunday Aborisade in Abuja Accord Party on Wednesday appealed to the European Union (EU) for urgent diplomatic intervention to de-escalate rising political tension in Osun State, condemn alleged electoral violence and intimidation, and help ensure a free, fair, credible, transparent and peaceful governorship election scheduled for Saturday. The appeal was contained in a letter dated August 12, 2026, and addressed to the Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Migot, by Accord National Chairman, Chief Maxwell Mgbudem. The party said the August 15 election was particularly significant as the last major off-cycle governorship election before the 2027 general election, warning that its conduct and outcome would have far-reaching implications for public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions and electoral process. Accord alleged that the political atmosphere in Osun had become increasingly tense amid reports of violence, intimidation, arrests, harassment and what it described as the deployment of state institutions and security agencies in ways capable of undermining political competition. According to the party, at least 29 people had reportedly lost their lives, while several others sustained gunshot injuries in incidents linked to the political environment in the state. It further alleged that more than 60 of its members and supporters had been arrested and detained in Abuja and Nasarawa State under circumstances it said required urgent clarification and independent scrutiny. The party also raised concerns over the reported searches of residences of senior Osun State Government officials and the arrest and detention of some officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, as well as the reported freezing of the state government’s bank accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Although the affected officials were later released and the accounts reportedly unfrozen following public concerns and presidential intervention, Accord said the incidents had heightened apprehension over the perceived use of state institutions in the political environment. The party stressed that it did not seek to obstruct legitimate law-enforcement or anti-corruption activities, but urged that such powers be exercised impartially, transparently and in accordance with due process, particularly during an election period. Accord’s appeal to the EU came against the backdrop of its demand for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, over a viral video in which the party alleged that he incited supporters to kill Accord Party members and supporters in Ijesaland. The party described the reported remarks as outrageous and reprehensible, arguing that they had further escalated political tension only days before the governorship poll. It called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the senator’s alleged conduct and take appropriate action, while urging security agencies to protect all political actors and citizens. The party also appealed for the immediate release of its members allegedly detained in Abuja and Nasarawa, insisting that their continued detention could prevent them from participating in Saturday’s election. The party urged the EU, the United States, United Kingdom, African Union (AU) and ECOWAS to closely monitor developments in Osun and condemn actions capable of undermining democratic participation. In a related intervention, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has condemned what he described as the “inflammatory comments and threat-laden rhetoric” attributed to Fadahunsi. Obi demanded an immediate retraction and apology, stressing that political leaders had a constitutional and moral responsibility to promote peace, democratic norms and unity. He urged security agencies to monitor inflammatory statements and guarantee equal protection for voters, election officials and citizens before, during and after the poll. According to Obi, the democratic mandate belongs to the people and no individual, irrespective of political office or status, should attempt to influence the electorate through fear, intimidation or coercion. In its appeal, Accord urged the EU to use its diplomatic influence to encourage political parties, candidates and their supporters to reject violence, inflammatory rhetoric and intimidation. It also called for strict neutrality and professionalism by security agencies and public institutions, while urging the Independe
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