…The Accord presidential candidate urges voters to reject intimidation, stand their ground
The presidential candidate of the Accord Party, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of waging what he described as a “war against the people” of Osun State ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
Hashim made the allegation in a strongly worded statement issued over the weekend. He said recent actions by the Federal Government had gone beyond political rivalry and amounted to what he called “punitive state oppression.”
The Accord candidate, who is also Co-Chairman of the Movement for Democratic Renewal (MDR), alleged that the withholding of local government allocations, restrictions placed on the state government’s accounts and the alleged protection of APC supporters involved in attacks on opposition members were part of a wider attempt to weaken the opposition and punish the people of Osun for their political choices.
According to him, such actions raise serious concerns about the use of federal institutions in an electoral contest. He argued that democratic institutions should serve the people rather than become tools for settling political disputes.
Hashim acknowledged reports that restrictions placed on some Osun State accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had been lifted following a directive from President Tinubu. However, he maintained that the restrictions should never have been imposed in the first place.
He described the alleged measures as an abuse of federal authority and warned that such actions could undermine constitutional democracy.
“This is not politics. It is the punitive conduct of a Federal colonial state treating the people of Osun as vassals,” Hashim said.
He further argued that democracy could not survive if federal institutions were used as political weapons against elected state governments. According to him, the rights and sovereignty of citizens must remain above partisan interests.
The Accord presidential candidate also warned public officials whom he alleged participated in implementing the measures that they could be held personally accountable for any unlawful actions.
“However this ends, all state officials involved in this political brigandage must note that they will be held individually accountable for their actions,” he declared.
Hashim called on Nigerians and democratic institutions to resist what he described as the weaponisation of state power. He said the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic system depended on the ability of citizens to freely choose their leaders without intimidation or undue interference.
With the Osun governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, Hashim urged President Tinubu to ensure that all remaining obstacles to a free, peaceful and credible election were removed.
“It is not too late to apply the brakes. President Tinubu should immediately instruct all security agencies and federal officials to remain neutral and allow the people of Osun to make their choices in an atmosphere devoid of intimidation. The world is watching,” he said.
Hashim ended his statement with a direct appeal to Osun voters, urging them not to be intimidated ahead of the election.
“Stand your ground. Refuse to be cowed into submission. We are still a democracy and a Republic. Come out peacefully and exercise your constitutional right to vote,” he told the electorate.
