Osun: Accord Denies Attacks On APC Members

…Accuses Party Of Violence

The Osun State chapter of the Accord Party has denied the allegations that its members attacked supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the allegations as “a concoction of lies and propaganda.”

The party, in a statement signed by its State Chairman, Pastor Victor Akande, said its members were not responsible for attacks on APC members, insisting that Accord supporters had instead been subjected to alleged harassment and violence by APC thugs and some elements within the state police command.

Reacting to the APC’s recent statement alleging attacks on its members following the governorship election, the Accord said it had maintained restraint despite what it described as extensive pre-election violence allegedly unleashed against its members.

According to the party, “Osun APC oppressed our members for several months,” alleging that about 20 of its members were killed while approximately 30 others were receiving treatment for gunshot injuries.

The party maintained that despite the alleged attacks, its members did not retaliate, saying they remained committed to peaceful political participation before, during and after the election.

Accord further alleged that some APC members made public statements calling for the killing and maiming of its supporters shortly before the election. It accused the police of failing to adequately respond to what it described as “genocidal utterances,” while allegedly arresting Accord leaders across various local government areas.

The party also alleged that several of its leaders were arrested on the eve of the election in an attempt to disrupt its mobilisation and organisational efforts. It claimed that houses belonging to some of its members were vandalised in Ikire, forcing some supporters to spend the night in uncompleted buildings to evade alleged arrests.

Accord also accused the APC of unlawfully occupying local government secretariats, diverting over N350 billion in local government funds for campaign purposes and detaining about 60 of its members overnight.

The party further alleged that the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) was dissolved and replaced with individuals it described as APC thugs.

The party said the APC should not present itself as the victim of political violence, arguing that it should instead apologise to the people of Osun State over the alleged killing and injury of Accord supporters.

Accord called for the prosecution of those responsible for the alleged violence, insisting that its members were law-abiding citizens committed to democratic participation.

“Our members are law-abiding. They belong to a responsible political party, not a ‘tabon tabon’ party,” Akande said.

The party urged security agencies to investigate all allegations of political violence impartially and ensure that anyone found culpable, irrespective of political affiliation, is brought to justice.