Senator Francis Fadahunsi has clarified a viral comment in which he was heard telling supporters to “kill Accord.” He insisted he was referring to defeating the party at the ballot box and not encouraging violence against its members. In fact, the Fadahunsi Accord comment was at the centre of this explanation.
According to The Punch, the senator representing Osun East issued the clarification on Tuesday. This came after the Fadahunsi Accord comment video circulated widely on social media ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
In the video, Fadahunsi was seen addressing supporters in Yoruba and accusing members of the Accord Party of attacking members of the All Progressives Congress. His remarks, commonly referred to as the Fadahunsi Accord comment, triggered criticism. Afterward, he appeared to urge APC supporters in Ilesa to retaliate.
He was also heard challenging those present to record his comments and circulate the video online.
‘Purely political and metaphorical’
Fadahunsi’s media office, however, said the meaning of the statement had been distorted.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Senator’s statement was purely political and metaphorical,” the statement said.
It explained that the expression was “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.”
The senator insisted he had never advocated physical attacks against members of Accord or any other political party.
“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,” the statement said.
“His consistent position has always been that elections should be decided by the votes of the people and not by force.”
Fadahunsi calls for peaceful election
Following the controversy, the senator urged APC supporters and other political actors to maintain peace before, during and after the election.
He also called on security agencies to remain neutral and ensure voters can exercise their rights without intimidation.
“The Senator, therefore, urges political actors, party supporters and the electorate to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the election,” his media office said.
“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.”
Fadahunsi said he remained committed to democratic principles. He maintained that the result of the election should reflect the choice of voters.
“He believes that the will of the people, freely expressed through the ballot, must always prevail,” the statement added.
Adeleke campaign seeks investigation
The clarification comes after the campaign council of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to investigate Fadahunsi’s remarks. To sum up, the Fadahunsi Accord comment continues to generate significant attention.
Adeleke is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party. This makes tensions between Accord and the APC a major issue as the governorship poll approaches.
Fadahunsi’s media office urged the public not to interpret the viral remarks as a call for physical confrontation.
“We, therefore, appeal to members of the public not to misinterpret or deliberately distort the Senator’s comments,” the statement said. It insisted they were intended to encourage electoral victory “through the power of the ballot and not through violence.”
The controversy comes amid growing calls for political actors in Osun to tone down inflammatory rhetoric. It also calls for them to ensure the August 15 election is conducted peacefully.
