The national leadership of the Accord Party has condemned the shooting of its chairman in Osogbo Local Government Area of Osun State, Asimiyu Ajibola, describing the attack as politically motivated and calling for an immediate investigation by security agencies.
Ajibola was reportedly shot by two gunmen on Wednesday night in the MDS area of Osogbo and is currently receiving treatment at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, Accord National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, said the attackers opened fire on a Toyota Corolla conveying Ajibola and his associates, leaving the party chairman with gunshot wounds.
The party linked the attack to the political atmosphere ahead of the August 12, 2026, governorship election in the state.
He 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.
“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 urged the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to conduct what it described as a high-powered investigation into the incident.
“Accordingly, Accord demands a high-powered investigation by the Police and Department of State Services (DSS) to unravel the masterminds of this despicable assassination attempt and their sponsors to face the full weight of the law,” the party stated.
Mgbudem further alleged that its members had been subjected to repeated acts of 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.
“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,” he said.
Declaring that “enough is enough” of political violence, the party chairman insisted that it would not be intimidated ahead of the governorship poll.
“Accord abhors political bitterness in all its ramifications and has been promoting issue-based politics and campaigning ahead of the upcoming gubernatorial election.
“Let it be clear that our great party will not be cowed, intimidated and suppressed by anti-democratic and reactionary forces in Osun State,” he said.
Mgbudem also reaffirmed the party’s support for Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid, describing Osun as 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.
“Together, Osun State will be taken to a new level of development and prosperity,” he said..
Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command has confirmed the attack and launched an investigation into the incident.
The command’s spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, said in a statement on Thursday that the shooting occurred at about 9:50 p.m. when two armed men riding on a motorcycle allegedly opened fire on Ajibola in what police described as an attempted murder.
According to the police, operatives responded to a distress call, evacuated the victim to a medical facility and have since commenced a manhunt for the attackers.
The command said investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
