Osun Election: Fadahunsi Says ‘Kill Accord’ Remark Was About Votes, Not Violence

OSOGBO — Senator Francis Fadahunsi has explained his widely circulated “Kill Accord” comment, insisting that the statement was a political expression urging All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters to defeat the Accord Party in the August 15 Osun governorship election.

The senator, who represents Osun East Senatorial District, faced criticism after a video emerged on social media showing him addressing APC supporters in Yoruba in Ilesa.

In the video, Fadahunsi accused Accord Party members of attacking APC supporters and urged those attending the gathering to confront members of the opposition party. He was also shown encouraging people present to record his remarks and publish them on social media.

The comments were reportedly made during an engagement with APC supporters ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Fadahunsi, however, has now rejected any interpretation of the statement as a call for violence.

In a statement released by his media office in Osogbo on Tuesday, titled “Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence, Senator Fadahunsi Tells APC,” the senator said he was referring to defeating the Accord Party electorally.

The statement described his comment as “a call on supporters to overwhelmingly reject the Accord Party at the ballot box through lawful, peaceful and democratic means during the August 15 governorship election.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Senator’s statement was purely political and metaphorical,” it added.

Fadahunsi’s media office further stated that the remark should not be interpreted as support for violence against Accord Party members or supporters, or against any other political organisation.

The senator also appealed for a peaceful electoral process and urged political parties, supporters and voters to obey the law.

“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, therefore, urges political actors, party supporters and the electorate to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the election. He also calls on security agencies to remain professional and ensure that every eligible voter is able to exercise their constitutional right without fear or intimidation.

“Senator Fadahunsi remains committed to democratic values, issue-based campaigns and a credible electoral process. He believes that the will of the people, freely expressed through the ballot, must always prevail.

“We, therefore, appeal to members of the public not to misinterpret or deliberately distort the Senator’s comments, as they were clearly intended to encourage electoral victory through the power of the ballot and not through violence,” the statement concluded.

Africans Angle News