By The Osun State chapter of the Accord party has condemned the arrest of one of its prominent Esa Oke leaders, Chief Sesan Orija, popularly known as Mewo, whom the party says was picked up from his residence on Monday morning by armed policemen.
In a statement signed by the state chairman, Pastor Victor Babalola Akande, the party described Orija as the recognized Accord leader in Esa Oke and a longtime political associate of Hon. Wole Oke, before the two later went their separate political ways.
The party linked the arrest to what it called a growing pattern of intimidation targeting its members in the Ijesa axis ahead of the August 15 governorship election. It pointed to earlier incidents involving its House of Representatives candidate for Ijesa South, Popoola Alaba, who the party said was arrested and taken to Abuja, and Barrister Sodiq Olaniyan, whose detention it also described as politically motivated. Accord said it had previously warned that more of its leaders were being targeted, and that Orija’s arrest fits that pattern.
“We wish to state unequivocally that political contests must never be reduced to harassment, intimidation or the deployment of security institutions against citizens because of their political choices,’’ he said.
Resorting to heavily armed operations against respected political leaders, while deploying armed personnel as escorts for political thugs only deepens public suspicion and undermines confidence in law enforcement.
The statement called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the matter and ensure Orija’s constitutional rights are respected, insisting due process must be followed if any allegations exist against him. It further argued that heavy security deployment against political leaders, contrasted with what it claimed was armed protection for political thugs, only deepens public distrust of law enforcement.
While urging calm among its members in Esa Oke and across Osun, the party said its commitment to democratic engagement remains firm and voiced confidence that the outcome would ultimately be decided at the ballot. It also called on INEC, the National Human Rights Commission, civil society groups, election observers, and the international community to monitor developments in the state as the election approaches.
Accord maintained it would continue defending its members’ rights through lawful means and would not be silenced.
