The single sharpest fact in one or two punchy sentences. Who did what, where, when, and why it matters.

You would think that ahead of a major election, things would be calm in Osun State, Nigeria's Osun State. Not so. Accord Party has just warned the European Union (EU) of growing violence and intimidation in the state, ahead of Saturday's governorship election.

Accord Party is urging the EU to act fast to prevent any further violence by deploying preventive diplomacy in Osun State. This is not the first time the party has sounded the alarm. In a letter to the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Migot, Accord Party's National Chairman, Chief Maxwell Mgbudem, said the ongoing violence could lead to the loss of public confidence in the electoral process.

Mgbudem accused security agencies of using excessive force against party members, leading to the death of at least 29 people and the arrest of over 60 others. This is not just violence – it's a calculated attempt to intimidate voters and undermine the democratic process. Accord Party has called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrests and the use of force by security agencies.

According to Mgbudem, there's been a reported freezing of Osun State Government bank accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). President Bola Tinubu was forced to unfreeze the accounts after public criticism, but Accord Party says this is just one of several worrying developments in the run-up to the election.

So what does this mean for the people of Osun State?

The ongoing violence and intimidation in Osun State are a major concern for the people of the state, who are just days away from casting their ballots in the governorship election. Accord Party is calling on the EU to use its influence to ensure that the election is free, fair, and peaceful.

In a statement, Mgbudem urged the EU to publicly reaffirm the need for a free and fair election in Osun State, where the outcome reflects the freely expressed will of the people. He also called on all parties, candidates, and supporters to reject violence and inflammatory rhetoric, and for security agencies to remain impartial and professional throughout the electoral process.

The Osun governorship election is one of the most closely watched elections in Nigeria, with far-reaching implications for the country's politics and governance. Accord Party's warning to the EU highlights the need for urgent action to prevent further violence and ensure a peaceful and credible election.

The single sharpest fact in one or two punchy sentences. Who did what, where, when, and why it matters.

Accord Party's 5 Demands for a Peaceful Election

  • Publicly reaffirm the need for a free, fair, transparent, credible, and peaceful election
  • Curb security agencies from using excessive force against party members
  • Investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest and detention of Accord Party members
  • Ensure that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) discharges its constitutional and statutory responsibilities independently, impartially, and transparently
  • Credible domestic and international observation of the poll to ensure its integrity and peaceful conduct