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

The Accord Party has reacted strongly to the shooting of its chairman in Osogbo Local Government Area of Osun State, Asimiyu Ajibola. They described the shooting as politically motivated and are demanding a quick investigation by security forces.

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

In a statement released in Abuja on Thursday, the National Chairman of Accord, Maxwell Mgbudem, said the attackers fired at a Toyota Corolla carrying Ajibola and his associates, leaving him with gunshot wounds.

The party believes the shooting is related to the political climate ahead of the governorship election scheduled for August 12, 2026.

Mgbudem said, "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 described as a high-powered investigation into the shooting.

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

Mgbudem alleged that members of the party have faced repeated violence 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 declared, “Enough is enough” of political violence and insisted the party will not be intimidated 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 stated, "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 expressed the party’s support for Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid, calling Osun 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."

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

Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command has confirmed the attack and has started an investigation into the incident.

The police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, said in a statement on Thursday that the shooting happened around 9:50 p.m. when two armed men on a motorcycle allegedly shot at Ajibola in what police termed an attempted murder.

According to the police, officers responded to a distress call, took the victim to a medical facility and have begun a manhunt for the shooters. The command said investigations are ongoing to find and arrest those responsible for the attack.