"Their Grand Plan Is To Scare People Away": Accord Party's Bamidele Salam Accuses APC Leaders Of Voter Suppression In Osun State
Speaking on Channels Television, Bamidele Salam, spokesman for the Accord Party in Osun State, leveled severe allegations against opposition figures, specifically calling out Senator Fadahunsi and political allies over an alleged scheme to suppress voter turnout in Ijeshaland.
Salam asserted that opposition operatives, aware of their inability to win in a free and fair contest given the current public mood, are resorting to intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and threats of violence. He claimed there is an orchestrated attempt to lock down the six local government areas in Ijeshaland, scare citizens away from polling units, and manipulate final election results.
Deep-Dive Analysis
Allegations of Audio Incitement and Literal Interpretation
Central to Salam’s appearance on Channels TV was a controversial recording allegedly featuring political opponents calling for extreme measures against rival party members.
Key Breakdown of the Incident:
Literal vs. Metaphorical Directives: Salam rejected attempts by opposition figures to dismiss inflammatory comments as mere political rhetoric ("killing them electorally"), emphasizing that the spoken directives explicitly urged supporters to prevent opposition voters from casting their ballots even if they held valid Voter Cards.
Denial and Public Backlash: He argued that the political figures involved are attempting to backpedal only after the audio clip sparked widespread public scandal and outrage.
"He said between now and election day, anyone you find... kill them. Now he's telling a lie that what he's saying is that they should kill them electorally. He said in addition that even if they come to the polling unit with their voting card, we must not allow them to vote."
Security Forces, Arbitrary Arrests, and Targeted Suppression
Salam further detailed what he described as an active campaign to dismantle the Accord Party's operational structure across key local governments in Osun State.
1. Security Unit Allegations
Targeted Operations: Salam alleged that specialized security operatives—referred to as the "Ijesha Rapid Response (IRR)" squad—are being manipulated to arrest, detain, and harass Accord Party members and leaders across Ijeshaland.
Disruption of Campaigns: He highlighted instances where Accord Party members were allegedly barred from campaigning in specific local government areas under direct threats of violence and destruction of campaign billboards.
2. Petition-Driven Arrests of Candidates
Legal Harassment: Salam cited the recent arrest of an Accord Party candidate for the House of Representatives, claiming it was executed directly on the heels of targeted petitions written by opposition figures.
Call for Neutrality: He called on security agencies to remain impartial and ensure that every eligible citizen in Ijeshaland can exercise their civic franchise on election day without fear of physical harm.
"They know that given the atmosphere and the mood of the people, they cannot match one-to-one in a free and fair contest... all that they are interested in is to suppress the vote and threaten people."
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