The National Chairman of the Accord Party, Professor Chris Imumolen, has warned Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to stop linking individuals facing criminal investigations to the party, insisting that those under police investigation are not recognised members of the Accord Party.
Imumolen issued the warning in response to claims by the Osun State Government and the Imole Campaign Council alleging that more than 60 Accord Party members were being unlawfully detained by the Nigeria Police Force.
Rejecting the allegation, the Accord Party chairman maintained that the individuals in police custody are not stakeholders of the party and should not be presented as its members.
“Our members are not criminals. How can people whose names have consistently been associated with alleged murder and other heinous crimes be tagged as our members?” he said.
He specifically questioned the description of Abiodun Arowomole, popularly known as “Asipa”, as an Accord Party member.
“How could you and some government officials refer to Abiodun Arowomole ‘Asipa’, who was reported to be a long-wanted murder suspect and recently arrested in the house of your Secretary to the State Government, as our party member?” Imumolen asked.
The party chairman also referred to reports questioning the circumstances surrounding the release of individuals standing trial for alleged offences.
“With reports that people of the state are questioning yourself, the Director of Public Prosecution and the Attorney General on the criteria used to free alleged criminals who were still standing trial for alleged murder and armed robbery close to the election period, such people cannot be referred to as members of the Accord Party,” he said.
Imumolen stressed that the party was founded on the principles of fairness, justice and progress and would not allow its image to be tarnished.
“Accord Party is built on the pillars of fairness, justice and progress. We will not allow our image to be dragged into the mud, defending armed aides incompatible with Accord Party values,” he added.
He further criticised Governor Adeleke for allegedly defending aides arrested with illegal firearms, urging the state government to allow security agencies to perform their duties without political interference.
“Police are arresting your aides with guns, and you are defending them. That is completely contrary to what the Accord Party stands for,” Imumolen said.
The Accord Party chairman also raised concerns about security in Osun State, alleging that individuals released under questionable circumstances were now being protected by state actors while falsely identifying themselves as members of the party.
He described the development as “unacceptable” to the party’s national leadership.
Imumolen, however, commended the Nigerian judiciary for a recent Court of Appeal judgment on the Accord Party’s leadership structure, saying the ruling had brought clarity and effectively sidelined individuals attempting to exploit the party’s platform for personal or criminal interests.
He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to peace, law and order and urged the Osun State Police Command to prosecute anyone found disrupting public peace, regardless of political affiliation or claims.
Boluwatife Enome
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