The Accord Party has called for the immediate resignation of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging that the anti-graft agency acted beyond its mandate and became politically involved in the build-up to the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
The party’s demand followed the EFCC’s decision to restrict transactions on an Osun State Government account on August 5, an action the commission said was connected to an ongoing financial investigation. The restriction was subsequently lifted following President Bola Tinubu’s intervention.
Speaking at a world press conference in Abuja on Friday, Accord National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, said the party had lost confidence in the EFCC leadership, accusing the commission of partisanship in Osun State politics.
“Having demonstrated unprecedented partisanship in the Osun State politics, assaulted the sensibilities of fellow compatriots and brought the nation to ridicule and disrepute before the international community, Accord has lost confidence in the current leadership of the EFCC,” Mgbudem said.
He demanded the EFCC chairman’s immediate resignation and urged President Tinubu to remove him if he declined to step down.
Mgbudem argued that the restriction placed on the state government’s account was capable of undermining confidence in public institutions and creating unnecessary political tension ahead of the election.
“Accordingly, Accord demands the immediate resignation of the EFCC chairman. For embarrassing the President, the party, the government and people of Osun State and fellow citizens, the EFCC chairman should toe the path of honour and tender his resignation. If he fails to resign, President Tinubu should sack him immediately to restore the integrity of the anti-graft agency,” he stated.
The EFCC, however, has maintained that its action was linked to an ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities and was not politically motivated.
ACCORD ALLEGES INTIMIDATION OF MEMBERS
The party also alleged that its members and supporters had faced months of intimidation, harassment and attacks in Osun State.
Mgbudem claimed that some party supporters had been killed, shot, arrested or intimidated, while party offices and those of the Imole Campaign Council were allegedly attacked.
He further alleged that campaign billboards were destroyed by suspected political thugs purportedly linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to him, several incidents had been reported to security agencies, although he claimed that the response had been inadequate.
The Accord chairman said the party initially welcomed the deployment of a new Commissioner of Police to Osun following concerns over the security situation but alleged that subsequent actions by the EFCC further heightened political tensions.
PARTY URGES NEUTRALITY OF FEDERAL INSTITUTIONS
Mgbudem accused the EFCC of becoming involved in the political contest in a manner he claimed could weaken the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
He alleged that the commission had attempted to use its powers inappropriately against the state government.
“EFCC joined the Osun political fray hoping to succeed where the earlier compromised State Police Command failed by deliberately turning the law upside down to justify its unconstitutional action that threatened the foundations of the country’s emerging democracy,” he alleged.
The Accord chairman, however, commended President Tinubu for intervening and directing that the restriction on the state government’s account be lifted.
He urged security agencies, anti-corruption bodies, the electoral commission and other democratic institutions to operate within their statutory responsibilities.
“Accord welcomes President Tinubu’s timely intervention in this critical national issue and urges security agencies, anti-graft commissions, electoral umpire and relevant democratic institutions to strictly abide by their rules of engagement, statutory duties and democratic ethics,” he said.
The party also warned against the use of federal institutions in ways that could influence the outcome of the governorship election.
“Electoral contest is not a warfare. It should not be militarised by deploying federal apparatuses to suppress, subdue and oppress political opponents and their supporters to favour a party that has been rejected by the people,” Mgbudem stated.
ACCORD BACKS ADELEKE FOR SECOND TERM
The Accord chairman described Osun State as a stronghold of the party and endorsed Governor Ademola Adeleke for a second term, citing what he described as the administration’s performance.
He also alleged that there had been attempts to destabilise the state government, including legal actions which he claimed were aimed at deregistering Accord and other political parties.
Mgbudem further alleged that disputes over local government administration and federal allocations to councils formed part of broader efforts to weaken the state government.
He maintained that such developments would not prevent residents from exercising their constitutional rights at the ballot box.
PARTY CALLS FOR CREDIBLE AUGUST 15 POLL
Accord urged Osun residents to turn out in large numbers on August 15 and protect their votes.
The party also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the election is free, fair, credible and inclusive, while adequately testing electoral materials and systems ahead of polling day.
According to Accord, the election carries added significance as the final off-cycle governorship election before the 2027 general elections.
The party urged civil society organisations, international observers, the Nigerian Bar Association, the media, development partners and opposition parties to closely monitor the exercise.
It called for an election free from violence, intimidation, voter suppression, vote-buying and unlawful interference by security agencies.
“The people of Osun State deserve nothing less than an election whose outcome genuinely reflects their freely expressed democratic choice,” Mgbudem said.
The party also appealed to President Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police to facilitate the release of about 60 Accord members whom it claimed were being detained in Abuja, Osun and Nasarawa states.
Mgbudem said the release of the alleged detainees would help reduce political tension ahead of the election.
Despite the controversies, he expressed confidence in the party’s preparedness for the August 15 poll and predicted victory for Accord and Governor Adeleke.
“Accord is ready and prepared for the governorship election and will emerge victorious, having fulfilled its campaign promises to the people in spite of the activities of detractors to frustrate Adeleke’s government,” he said.
