Group Blames Accord Party Infighting for Political Violence, Vandalism in Osun

A socio-political organisation, Osun Synergy, has called on security agencies to investigate the growing political tension and acts of vandalism currently being witnessed across Osun State.

The group urged the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to thoroughly probe the crisis, insisting that internal disputes within the Accord Party were largely responsible for the unrest.

In recent weeks, several campaign posters and billboards in the state have reportedly been destroyed, with supporters of Governor Ademola Adeleke accusing the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating the attacks.

However, in a statement signed by the Secretary of Osun Synergy, Sesan Adegoke, and made available to journalists in Osogbo on Tuesday, the group alleged that the crisis stemmed from rivalry among factions within the Accord Party.

According to the statement, “The crisis within the Aboriginal Accord members and those they tagged usurpers is responsible for the wave of the crisis rocking the state.”

The group further claimed that disputes over party nominations and leadership control within the Accord Party had heightened tensions among members, particularly between those aligned with Governor Adeleke’s political camp and long-standing members who felt sidelined.

“Reports also showed that the nomination crisis within the Accord party is causing serious crisis in the state as party members loyal to the Adeleke faction are at loggerhead with the original owners of the party who claimed to have been marginalized and ostracised,” the statement added.

Osun Synergy also alleged that recent attacks on opposition property contradicted claims that the APC was behind the destruction of campaign materials in the state.

“You can see that the lies that the APC is responsible for the vandalisation of billboard has been exposed with the destruction and vandalisation of the APC office in Ede South,” the group stated.

It further accused rival factions within the Accord Party of fueling instability because of disagreements over political control and influence.

“The Accord party factions are causing crisis because the new comers are not ceding anything to the original owners of the party”

The group called on law enforcement agencies to intensify investigations into the activities of the feuding factions and ensure that those responsible for acts of violence and destruction are prosecuted.

“The group therefore called on the security agencies to beam their searchlight on the Accord party and bring perpetrators to book”

Osun Synergy also challenged Governor Adeleke to demonstrate stronger commitment toward protecting lives and property in the state amid rising political tension.

“We also call on the Governor to show commitment to the security of lives and properties of citizen; we cannot understand what the governor is doing with the billions he has gotten as security votes, when lives and properties of citizens have become susceptible to danger”