0
ABUJA – Barely 10 days to the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, Accord Party has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of attempting to influence the outcome of the poll by freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government, describing the action as unconstitutional and a deliberate plot to cripple governance ahead of the election.
The opposition party alleged that the anti-graft agency’s decision formed part of a broader strategy to deploy federal institutions in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that the move was aimed at frustrating the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke and weakening its people-oriented programmes before voters head to the polls.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday through a statement signed by its National Chairman, Chief Maxwell Mgbudem, Accord described the development as “injustice, illegality, impunity and recklessness,” warning that it would challenge the action in court.
The party maintained that the EFCC failed to obtain a valid court order before freezing the state’s accounts because it allegedly knew such an application would not succeed, insisting that the action violated constitutional provisions and democratic principles.
Accord further alleged that the EFCC and the Nigeria Police Force were acting in concert to destabilise Osun State by allegedly intimidating opposition supporters and creating an atmosphere of fear ahead of the governorship election.
According to the party, the timing of the account freeze, coming days before the election, raised serious concerns about the neutrality of federal security agencies and their commitment to ensuring a level playing field for all political parties.
The party recalled that it had earlier warned Nigerians of alleged plans to deploy federal might to influence the outcome of the governorship contest, arguing that recent developments appeared to validate those concerns.
Accord also vowed to resist what it described as sustained assaults on Nigeria’s democratic institutions, expressing confidence that the judiciary would once again uphold the rule of law, just as it claimed happened during previous legal battles involving attempts to deregister the party.
The party called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure a free, fair, credible and peaceful governorship election by directing security agencies, particularly the police, to remain neutral, impartial and professional before, during and after the poll.
It also accused the police of harassment, intimidation, arrests and detention of its members and supporters across Osun State, alleging that such actions had heightened political tension and undermined public confidence in the electoral process.
Accord urged the President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to restrain what it described as overzealous security agencies and guarantee that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would conduct the election without interference.
The party equally demanded the unconditional release of its members allegedly detained in Abuja, Osun and Nasarawa states, insisting that their constitutional rights had been violated.
Warning against any attempt to manipulate the election, Accord maintained that Osun residents should be allowed to choose their governor freely without intimidation or coercion, stressing that political ambition should never come at the expense of human lives.
The party expressed confidence that Governor Ademola Adeleke would secure re-election, insisting that he remained the preferred choice of the people and pledging to resist any attempt to subvert the democratic process.