Senator Francis Fadahunsi has denied calling on All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters to kill members of the Accord Party ahead of the Osun State governorship election.
Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District, came under fire after a video showing him addressing APC supporters in Ilesa went viral on social media.
In the video, the senator appeared to instruct party supporters to kill any Accord Party member they encountered in Ilesa before the election.
“If you see any Accord Party member in Ilesa from now on to the day of the election, kill them,” Fadahunsi was heard saying in the footage.
The statement triggered widespread condemnation and raised concerns over the possibility of political violence ahead of the Osun governorship poll.
Governor Ademola Adeleke’s campaign council also reacted to the video, accusing the senator of making a statement capable of inciting violence against supporters of another political party.
However, Fadahunsi has rejected the interpretation of the viral video, insisting that his statement was taken out of context.
Fadahunsi explains controversial statement
Speaking during an interview with Channels Television, the APC lawmaker said he was not advocating the physical killing of Accord Party members.
According to him, the word “kill” was used figuratively to mean defeating the opposition at the ballot box.
“I told them this shows that they are weak and cannot win. They should shut them down by their votes; they should kill them by their votes,” Fadahunsi said.
The senator further alleged that the video circulating online had been deliberately edited to remove the context of his statement.
He claimed that his remarks were made against the backdrop of alleged attacks on APC members in Ilesa and other parts of Osun State.
“The video was deliberately edited to distort what I actually said,” Fadahunsi stated.
He maintained that he was responding to what he described as alleged killings and attacks involving APC supporters, rather than directing party members to attack Accord supporters.
Senator alleges attacks on APC members
Fadahunsi alleged that members of his party had been attacked by suspected Accord Party thugs in parts of the state.
He warned that the situation could lead to retaliation if the alleged attacks continued.
“What I said was that if the alleged killing of our party members by Accord Party thugs does not stop, our party will retaliate,” he said.
The senator added that his comments were intended to draw attention to alleged violence against APC members and demand justice.
“My statement was very clear: if the killings do not stop, we shall also retaliate. We are here to lodge complaints and demand justice,” he added.
Fadahunsi described the alleged attacks as unacceptable and insisted that political differences should not result in the loss of lives.
“It is unacceptable for human beings to kill fellow human beings the way our members are allegedly being killed in Ilesa,” he said.
The lawmaker also stated that he would continue to defend members of his party whom he believes are being targeted because of their political affiliation.
“I stated unequivocally that if our party members are killed again, we will not simply fold our arms and watch. We will defend our people, even if such an incident occurs on election day,” Fadahunsi said.
Adeleke campaign council demands arrest
Despite Fadahunsi’s explanation, the controversy surrounding his remarks has continued to generate reactions across Osun State.
The campaign council of Governor Ademola Adeleke has demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the senator over what it described as a threat to Accord Party members.
The council argued that the statement was particularly troubling because Fadahunsi is a serving member of the National Assembly and is expected to uphold democratic principles and the Constitution.
It called on the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Services to investigate the matter and take appropriate legal action.
“Coming from a serving member of the National Assembly who swore to uphold the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we feel compelled to demand that the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Security order the arrest of Senator Fadahunsi and prosecute him in accordance with relevant laws of the federation,” the council stated.
Political tension rises ahead of Osun election
The controversy comes amid heightened political activity in Osun State as parties intensify their campaigns and mobilisation efforts ahead of the governorship election.
The dispute has also renewed concerns about inflammatory rhetoric and the possibility of political violence during the election period.
While Fadahunsi insists that his comments were misrepresented and that he was referring to electoral defeat and alleged attacks against APC members, Adeleke’s campaign council has interpreted the statement as a serious threat against political opponents.
The development has placed renewed attention on the responsibility of political leaders and their supporters to avoid statements or actions that could escalate tension.
As the election draws closer, stakeholders are expected to encourage peaceful participation and urge political parties to resolve disputes through lawful democratic channels.
The controversy surrounding Fadahunsi’s remarks is likely to remain a major talking point in Osun’s political space as the competing parties continue their campaigns ahead of the governorship poll.
