Against the backdrop of the recently concluded gubernatorial poll in Osun, the National Chairman of Accord, Maxwell Mgbudem, on Monday told the Inspector General of Police (IGP, Tunji Disu, to order the release of its members still languishing in detention.

It is recalled that some members and candidates of Accord had been detained by the Police in Osogbo, Abuja and Nasarawa, few days before the conduct of August 15 governorship poll, won by Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is the candidate of the party.

However, while describing their detention in various Police custodies without being charged to the court of law, Mgbudem contended that their release had become expedient in the interest of justice and adherence to the rule of law.

Addressing a press conference in Osogbo, he demanded their immediate release or arrangement before the court if they committed any offence.

While stating that their continue detention violates fundamental rights as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, the national chairman of the party maintained that “it is in the interest of justice and equity to release them immediately. The election is over, there is no need for their detention. The Inspector General of Police is urged to act accordingly.”

“The electioneering period was characterised by unusual harassment, intimidation, destruction of property, arrests, detention, killings and the use of federal might, particularly the Police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to subdue, suppress and oppress the party, the government and peace-loving people of Osun State in a way never seen in this democratic era.”

“That was when these anti-democratic forces had crippled the local governments in the state, the essential third arm of government by withholding the federal allocations due to them despite a clear order of a court of competent jurisdiction to release the funds for effective service delivery to the people, “Mgbudem remarked.

Commenting on the reported endorsement of the APC gubernatorial candidate by a factional chairman of Accord, Professor Christopher Imumolen, last Thursday, he described him as an impostor, who had long been expelled from the party.

He also dismissed the rumour of the purported plan by some individuals linked to Accord to hijack local government councils’ leadership, explaining that the party was ready to explore legal options in resolving disputes between APC and members of PDP/Accord over the matter.