Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, has moved to clarify a controversial remark attributed to him in a viral video, insisting that his reference to “killing” the Accord Party was a political expression for defeating the party at the ballot box and not a call for violence.
The senator’s clarification came amid growing reactions to the video, which surfaced online ahead of the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election.
In the footage, Fadahunsi was seen speaking in Yoruba while addressing supporters in Ilesa. He was heard accusing members of the Accord Party of attacking All Progressives Congress supporters and appeared to urge those at the gathering to confront Accord supporters.
He was also seen challenging those present to record his remarks and circulate them on social media.
The comments sparked concern in political circles, with the issue subsequently drawing the attention of the campaign council of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, which called for police investigation into the senator’s remarks.
But Fadahunsi, through his media office in Osogbo on Tuesday, rejected any interpretation of the comment as an endorsement of violence.
In a statement titled “Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence, Senator Fadahunsi Tells APC,” the senator’s media office said the controversial expression was intended to mobilise APC supporters to defeat the Accord Party through the democratic process.
The statement described the remark 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.”
Seeking to remove any ambiguity surrounding the senator’s words, the statement added: “For the avoidance of doubt, the Senator’s statement was purely political and metaphorical.”
It further argued that the remark should not be interpreted as an endorsement of attacks against political opponents or members of the public.
According to the senator’s media office, Fadahunsi has consistently supported the principle that electoral contests should be settled through votes rather than intimidation or physical confrontation.
The senator consequently appealed to APC supporters and other political actors to maintain peace throughout the electoral process, while urging security agencies to protect voters and ensure that the election is conducted without fear.
“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 statement also urged political parties and their supporters to exercise restraint as the election approaches, stressing that provocative rhetoric should not translate into confrontation on the streets.
“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.”
Fadahunsi’s office further portrayed the senator as committed to democratic competition and a peaceful electoral environment, saying his objective was to secure political victory through popular support.
“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.”
The statement also appealed to members of the public to consider the context of the controversial remarks rather than interpreting them as an instruction to attack members of the Accord Party.
“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.
The controversy had earlier taken a different turn when the campaign council of Governor Ademola Adeleke called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to investigate the senator’s comments.
The council also demanded appropriate action over what it described as remarks directed against members and supporters of the Accord Party.
With the governorship election only days away, Fadahunsi’s clarification comes as political tensions continue to rise across Osun, with rival parties intensifying campaigns and mobilisation ahead of the poll.
The senator’s media office has now sought to draw a clear distinction between political rhetoric and an actual call for physical confrontation, insisting that “Kill Accord” was intended to mean defeat Accord through votes.
The clarification nevertheless places renewed emphasis on the responsibility of political leaders and their supporters to ensure that the final days of the campaign do not degenerate into violence, as voters prepare to decide the next governor of Osun State at the ballot box.
(Ripples)