OSOGBO – May 18, 2026
The Osun State Government and the leadership of the Accord Party have raised concerns over what they described as credible reports of the creation and planned deployment of a special police squad to Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
According to information available to the government and the party leadership, the squad, allegedly led by a Chief Superintendent of Police (name withheld), is expected to arrive in the state any moment from now and commence operations focused on arresting prominent Accord Party members and some government officials, thereby putting their safety and security at risk.
The government expressed concern that such selective, partisan operations, if carried out, could heighten political tension in the state and expose state government officials and Accord party leaders to harassment and intimidation before and during the election period.
The Accord leadership further alleged that the squad may have held meetings with leaders of the opposition APC in the state, including its governorship candidate, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, in connection with logistics and operational arrangements ahead of the planned deployment.
The statement noted that the reported operation is believed to be outside the knowledge of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, a development the government described as troubling given the sensitive political atmosphere in the state.
The Osun State Government and the Accord Party therefore called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, other security agencies, civil society organisations, and the international community to closely monitor developments in Osun State ahead of the governorship election.
“We hereby place an urgent appeal to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the international community to take note of the looming planned mass arrest of, and attacks on, key figures of the Accord Party in Osun State.
“We also wish to let the IGP know that the peace-loving people of Osun State will resist, through lawful means, any attempt to undermine the democratic process through intimidation, harassment, or abuse of state power.
“We charge the police authorities to toe the path of peace and professionalism and not allow security personnel to be used in ways that could compromise the credibility of the electoral process in Osun State,” the statement said.
The statement further urged the Nigeria Police Force to remain neutral and professional in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities and to avoid actions capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral process.
The government also appealed to political stakeholders and supporters across party lines to remain peaceful and law-abiding, stressing that the preservation of peace and democratic stability in Osun State must remain paramount.
The statement reaffirmed the commitment of the Osun State Government to lawful conduct and democratic engagement, while expressing confidence that the people of the state would freely exercise their electoral rights without fear or intimidation.
Signed
Oluomo Kolapo Alimi
Honourable Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment
Osun State Government.

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