Accord Leader Demands Release of Detained Supporters and Unblocked LG Funds in Osun

The national chairman of the Accord party, Maxwell Mgbudem, is pressing for the immediate and unconditional release of party members and supporters taken into custody in the wake of the Osun State governorship election. He has also renewed calls for the release of local government funds he claims are being withheld by the federal government.

Speaking at a press conference following the victory of the party’s candidate, Governor Ademola Adeleke, Mgbudem appealed directly to Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu to order the release of those detained. He argued that with the August 15 election concluded, there is no legal or moral basis to keep them in custody.

Mgbudem framed Adeleke’s win as a victory of courage over fear, describing it as a clear signal that voters in Osun were determined to choose their leader freely, despite what he called systematic efforts to suppress the party and its base. He said the election marked a defining moment for democracy in Nigeria, with citizens showing they would not be cowed into silence or submission.

The Accord chairman painted a grim picture of the election period, alleging widespread harassment, intimidation, destruction of property, arrests, detentions, and even killings. He accused federal institutions, particularly the police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, of being used to undermine the Accord party, the Osun State Government, and the residents of the state.

Mgbudem also claimed that the withholding of federal allocations meant for local government areas in Osun is part of a larger scheme to destabilise the Adeleke administration. He alleged the goal is to make the state ungovernable, creating conditions that could justify a declaration of a state of emergency.

He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release the funds, stressing that they are meant for grassroots development and should never be wielded as a political weapon. “The people of Osun State should not be made to bear the consequences of political disagreements,” he said, adding that local government funds must flow to support basic services and community development.

Mgbudem was emphatic that Accord prepared for an election, not a war, and that the party has always believed in the supremacy of the ballot over violence. He described Adeleke’s renewed mandate as a powerful testament to the people’s resolve to protect their votes and choose continuity, compassionate governance, and inclusion.

His immediate priority, however, remains the release of Accord leaders, candidates, and supporters he says are being held in Abuja, Nasarawa, and Osun. He called their continued detention a violation of fundamental rights and pleaded with the Inspector-General to step in. “The election is over; there is no need for their detention,” he insisted.

Mgbudem also called for unity among all political parties and their supporters, urging them to work together for the progress of Osun State. “Osun belongs to all its citizens. The interest of the state is greater than individual and political interests,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to civil society organisations, local and foreign election observers, the international community, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and security agencies for their contributions to the electoral process. He also thanked President Tinubu and encouraged all stakeholders to keep supporting democratic values, peaceful political participation, and national unity.

Reflecting on the outcome, Mgbudem said the true winners are the people of Osun. He congratulated Nigerians on the peaceful conclusion of the election and voiced hope that lessons from the poll will lead to a better electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections. He urged Governor Adeleke to use his renewed mandate to deepen good governance, expand development, and ensure that government benefits reach communities at the grassroots.