Tension has heightened in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election following the reported attack on an Accord Party office in Ilesa, where suspected thugs allegedly destroyed equipment, campaign materials and other property.

The incident, which reportedly occurred on Saturday, August 8, came barely a week before voters in the state are scheduled to elect the next governor.

Videos circulating from the scene showed chairs, banners and other materials scattered and damaged inside the party office, while supporters were said to have fled the premises during the attack.

A party source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the development as an attempt to intimidate the party’s supporters and create fear ahead of the election.

“The attackers are hoping to cause fear and panic within the party’s support base and this is unfortunate,” the source said.

The source further alleged that the Ilesa office had been attacked twice within two weeks, accusing supporters of the All Progressives Congress of being behind the incidents.

“This is the second time in two weeks that our offices have come under attack and the attackers are being sponsored by the APC,” the source alleged.

The APC has not, however, been independently established to be responsible for the reported attacks.

In a separate incident captured on video, suspected thugs were seen pulling down an Accord Party billboard erected to canvass support for incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Residents who witnessed the incident expressed concern over the growing political tension in the state, with one person heard asking, “Is this a good thing? See the way they are destroying the billboard.”

The incidents have further raised concerns about the security of political campaigns in Osun, where rival political camps have traded accusations over alleged violence and intimidation ahead of the poll.

Meanwhile, the Imole Campaign Council, which is coordinating Adeleke’s re-election campaign, alleged that the Osun State Commissioner for Environment, Mayowa Anjoorin, was abducted during an attack on Accord leaders in Ilesa.

The campaign council also accused the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, of allegedly holding a secret late-night meeting with some APC chieftains.

In a statement issued in Osogbo on Saturday and addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, the campaign council alleged that the police commissioner had failed to prevent attacks on Accord members across the state.

The statement was signed by Bamidele Sallam, Chairman of the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee of the Imole Campaign Organisation.

“The Imole Campaign Council has alerted the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu that the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan is still enabling APC thugs to attack and intimidate leaders and members of Accord across Osun state,” the council alleged.

The latest allegations come amid heightened political activity across Osun as parties intensify campaigns ahead of the August 15 election.