By John Dike, Osogbo
The Accord Party and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State have traded accusations over a clash that occurred on Thursday in Ede North Local Government Area, with both parties presenting differing accounts of the incident and calling for intervention from the police authorities.
The Accord Party alleged that officers of the Nigeria Police Force carried out a partisan attack on residents in Ede during a dispute over a parcel of land belonging to the local government, while the APC accused supporters of the Accord Party of attacking police officers and disrupting lawful activities.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Osun State Chairman of the Accord Party, Victor Babalola Akande, condemned what he described as an unprovoked attack by police officers on residents of the Elerin area near Admus Filling Station in Ede.
Akande alleged that tension began around 5:00 a.m. when the APC-backed chairman of Ede North Local Government Area, Hon. Elliot Adeyemi, reportedly moved to flag off the construction of a shopping complex on the disputed land.
According to the party, the move generated controversy because the Osun State Government had earlier delivered building materials to the same site, indicating plans to develop it for government purposes.
The Accord Party further alleged that officers from the Ede North “A” Division of the Nigeria Police Force, led by the Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Bamidele Ezekiel Sogo, were deployed to secure the site for the council chairman.
The party claimed that the presence of security personnel attracted many residents to the area, including market women, farmers, motorcyclists and youths, who reportedly attempted to resist what they believed was an attempt to take over public property belonging to the local government.
According to the statement, residents who questioned tents allegedly erected by APC supporters at the location were told that a ceremony was scheduled to take place at the early hour.
The Accord Party alleged that when residents demanded that both APC supporters and members of the public be treated equally, police officers fired teargas to disperse the crowd.
The party also claimed that some APC supporters allegedly threw stones at residents, causing injuries and heightening tension in the area.
Akande further alleged that a motorcyclist who had parked his motorcycle near the scene was assaulted by an APC supporter identified as Sikiru Akinlade before other individuals reportedly joined in the attack, although the victim was later rescued.
According to the party, the situation was eventually brought under control after the traditional ruler of Ede, the Timi of Ede, reportedly sent palace chiefs to intervene and prevent further confrontation.
Accord expressed concern over what it described as unprofessional conduct by officers of the Ede North “A” Division and alleged that the Divisional Police Officer acted on “orders from above,” raising concerns about possible political interference in policing.
The party called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the incident, ensure accountability where necessary and restore public confidence in policing in Osun State.
However, the Osun State chapter of the APC presented a different account of the incident, accusing supporters of the Accord Party of attacking police officers and disrupting the lawful duties of the reinstated local government chairman.
In a statement signed by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, the APC described the actions of some youths believed to be supporters of the Accord Party as “criminal lawlessness.”
The party claimed that video recordings of the incident showed that the youths were the aggressors who attempted to prevent police officers from carrying out their duties.
According to the APC, some of the youths allegedly resisted police efforts to disperse the crowd and threw unexploded tear gas canisters back at security operatives while attempting to manhandle police officers at the scene.
The party said the development introduced a dangerous dimension to political activities in the state and urged the Inspector-General of Police to treat the matter with urgency.
The APC also appealed to the police authorities to declare Ede, comprising Ede North and Ede South Local Government Areas, a political “black spot” ahead of the 2026 governorship election to ensure increased security presence.
The party further urged the police to review video recordings of the incident and identify those responsible for the disturbance of public peace and alleged attacks on its members and security operatives.
While commending the police for what it described as a professional handling of the situation, the APC also questioned why some individuals allegedly attempted to obstruct the reinstated chairman of Ede North Local Government Area, Hon. Adeyemi Elliot, from performing his duties.
The party maintained that the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on February 10, 2025, which it said reinstated APC local government executives in the state, remains valid and should be respected.
Despite the tensions surrounding the incident, the APC commended its members and supporters for maintaining what it described as a peaceful and civil posture during the confrontation.
Both parties have now called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the incident and take appropriate steps to prevent further escalation of political tension in Ede and other parts of Osun State ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
