Senator Francis Fadahunsi has rejected claims that his viral comment about “killing Accord” was a call for violence against members of the political party.
Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District, said through his media office on Tuesday that the statement had been taken out of context and was intended as a political expression ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
In a statement titled “K!ll Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence, Senator Fadahunsi Tells APC,” his media team explained that the senator was urging supporters to defeat the Accord Party decisively at the polls through peaceful and democratic means.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Senator’s statement was purely political and metaphorical,” the statement said.
The media office stressed that Fadahunsi did not intend to promote violence, intimidation or physical attacks against Accord Party members or supporters, maintaining that his position has always been for elections to be determined by the people’s votes.
“At no point did Senator Fadahunsi advocate violence, intimidation or any form of physical attack against members or supporters of the Accord Party or any other political party. His consistent position has always been that elections should be decided by the votes of the people and not by force.”
The senator also appealed to politicians, party supporters and voters to maintain peace throughout the electoral period. He urged security agencies to carry out their duties professionally and ensure voters can participate without fear or intimidation.
Fadahunsi further reaffirmed his commitment to democratic principles, issue-based campaigns and a credible electoral process, insisting that the people’s freely expressed choice at the ballot box should prevail.
The statement also urged the public against deliberately misrepresenting his words, stressing that his comments were meant to encourage an electoral victory through votes rather than violence.
However, the controversy did not end with the clarification. The campaign council of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke subsequently called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to investigate Fadahunsi’s comment and take appropriate action over what it described as a statement directed at members of the Accord Party.
