The Accord Party has strongly condemned the attempted assassination of its Osogbo Local Government Chairman, Mr. Asimiyu Ajibola, describing the attack as a politically motivated act aimed at intimidating its members ahead of the forthcoming Osun State governorship election.
The party called on the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to launch a comprehensive investigation into the incident and ensure that those responsible are identified and prosecuted.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Chairman, Barrister Maxwell Mgbudem, Accord expressed gratitude to God for sparing the life of its local government chairman while wishing him a speedy recovery.
Ajibola reportedly sustained gunshot injuries on Wednesday night when two armed men opened fire on a Toyota Corolla conveying him and some associates in the MDS area of Osogbo, the Osun State capital. He was subsequently rushed to the University Teaching Hospital, where medical personnel are attending to him.
Reacting to the incident, the party described the attack as a disturbing development and a threat to democratic values, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the August 12, 2026 governorship election.
Accord alleged that its members had repeatedly been subjected to acts of violence and intimidation in recent months.
According to the statement, “Thugs associated with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) have on several occasions attacked Accord members, disrupted campaign activities, and vandalised public properties, including billboards and party offices, in a bid to intimidate and suppress our supporters.”
The party further claimed that security agencies had previously been alerted to alleged threats against its members but lamented that no arrests or prosecutions had followed earlier incidents.
“Enough is enough of political violence. Democracy thrives on the power of the ballot, not the barrel of a gun,” the statement added.
Accord reiterated its commitment to peaceful, issue-based campaigning and urged political actors in the state to shun violence and embrace democratic principles.
The party maintained that it would not be deterred by acts of intimidation, stressing its determination to continue mobilising support across the state ahead of the governorship poll.
It also reaffirmed its support for Governor Ademola Adeleke, whom it praised for what it described as transformative governance and the delivery of democratic dividends to residents of Osun State.
The party expressed confidence that the people of the state would continue to support the governor’s administration and its vision for sustained development and prosperity.
This version removes promotional language, reduces partisan rhetoric, balances allegations with attribution, and follows standard newspaper reporting style.
