Accord Party speaks out on shooting of Osun chairman, calls for action

The national leaders of the Accord Party have spoken against the shooting of their chairman in Osogbo Local Government Area of Osun State, Asimiyu Ajibola. They called the attack politically motivated and want security agencies to investigate it quickly.

Ajibola was reportedly shot by two gunmen on Wednesday night in the MDS area of Osogbo. He is now getting treatment at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.

In a statement from Abuja on Thursday, Accord National Chairman Maxwell Mgbudem said the attackers fired at a Toyota Corolla that was carrying Ajibola and his associates. Ajibola suffered gunshot wounds in the attack.

The party believes this attack is linked to the political climate ahead of the governorship election set for August 12, 2026, in the state.

Mgbudem stated, "The party condemns politically motivated attacks on its members ahead of the 12th August 2026 governorship election in the state. It is outrageous, barbaric, despicable and wicked."

He added, "The party prays to God Almighty to preserve his life and grant him speedy recovery to enable him to reunite with his family."

Accord also called on the police and the Department of State Services to carry out what they called a high-powered investigation into this incident.

"Accordingly, Accord demands a high-powered investigation by the Police and Department of State Services (DSS) to unravel the masterminds of this despicable assassination attempt and their sponsors to face the full weight of the law," the party said.

Mgbudem further accused some people of repeatedly attacking their members in Osun State.

"In the recent past, Accord members have been victims of political violence in Osun State. Thugs have repeatedly attacked Accord, Imole Campaign and public properties, including billboards and party secretariat, in an attempt to harass, intimidate and subdue our members, aware that the people have rejected their party."

He continued, "Sadly, security agencies were notified of the plots with a view to averting them, yet they were executed under their watch, and nobody has been prosecuted for these heinous crimes."

Mgbudem said "enough is enough" of political violence and insisted that they would not be scared ahead of the governorship election.

"Accord abhors political bitterness in all its ramifications and has been promoting issue-based politics and campaigning ahead of the upcoming gubernatorial election."

He stressed, "Let it be clear that our great party will not be cowed, intimidated and suppressed by anti-democratic and reactionary forces in Osun State."

Mgbudem also confirmed the party's support for Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid, saying Osun is an Accord stronghold.

"Osun State is an Accord stronghold with a pro-people Governor who has transformed the state and delivered dividends of democracy to citizens. He deserves a second term in office. The good people of Osun State are in one accord with Governor Ademola Adeleke."

"Together, Osun State will be taken to a new level of development and prosperity," he said.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command has confirmed the attack and started investigating the incident.

The command’s spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, said in a statement on Thursday that the shooting took place around 9:50 p.m. Two armed men on a motorcycle allegedly fired at Ajibola in what police call an attempted murder.

According to the police, their operatives responded to a distress call, took the victim to a medical facility, and have begun a manhunt for the attackers. The command mentioned that investigations are ongoing to find and catch those responsible for the attack.