Accord and APC call for police action amid Owode‑Ede violence allegations.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party have publicly accused each other over recent unrest in the Owode‑Ede community, urging security forces to investigate and safeguard the area.

The Osun APC called on police to declare Owode‑Ede—located in Ede North Local Government Area—a political flashpoint. It alleged that party members and supporters were attacked and intimidated by thugs linked to the Accord Party.

In a statement released on Sunday by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the APC said that violent acts by alleged Accord supporters had led to assaults on residents and damage to vehicles belonging to party members. The party urged the police to act quickly to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

According to the APC, “Owode‑Ede has become a meeting point for political hoodlums who allegedly harass opposition supporters travelling through the area. Branded caps and vehicles associated with the APC have been forcefully removed or damaged by suspected political thugs operating around the Owode‑Ede Market junction.”

It added, “It would be a dereliction of duty for the police and other statutory security services to leave innocent members of the public at the mercy of these political hoodlums who operate unhindered daily. Authorities should discourage the needless convergence of political thugs in the community.”

The APC also linked the crisis to the blockade of its members and supporters at the Owode‑Ede Market junction, arguing that freedom of movement is a constitutional right that should be protected by security agencies.

Accord rejected the accusations, claiming that the Osun APC was politicising security issues and blaming others before investigations were complete.

In a statement signed by its Osun State Chairman, Pastor Victor Akande, Accord said the APC’s allegations were “replete with conjectures, assumptions and politically motivated accusations against Governor Ademola Adeleke and residents of Ede.”

“While every responsible citizen condemns violence in all its forms, it is alarming that the APC has once again chosen the path of political propaganda rather than allowing security agencies to professionally establish the facts surrounding recent events,” it added.

The Accord chairman alleged that video clips circulating publicly showed vehicles branded in AMBO colours with persons allegedly linked to the APC, adding that credible claims connected some actors involved in the disturbances to political elements within the opposition party.

“We call on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to conduct a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into the incidents, identify all those involved regardless of political affiliation and ensure justice is served without fear or favour,” the statement read. “We also urge security agencies to investigate alleged hideouts of political thugs associated with the APC.”

The disagreement follows accusations by the Accord that political thugs in APC‑branded vehicles opened fire on residents and their members in Owode‑Ede, Aregbe, Olaiya and other parts of Osun State. The APC denied involvement and called on the Osun State Police Command to arrest alleged Accord thugs.

With the August 15 governorship election in the state approaching, stakeholders have urged politicians and parties to prioritise peace and security in Owode‑Ede and to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric while allowing law enforcement agencies to determine responsibility for the disturbances.