Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi, has demanded an apology from Senator Francis Fadahunsi over comments calling on supporters to kill members of the Accord Party ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
The senator made the comment on Tuesday at a rally in support of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a video trending online.
In a statement on Tuesday, Obi said he wished “to express my deep regret, and profound concern regarding the recent inflammatory comments and threat-laden rhetoric attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi in the lead-up to the Osun State election on Saturday.”
He has said that as a high-ranking lawmaker, Fadahunsi carries “a solemn constitutional and moral responsibility to promote peace, uphold democratic norms, and foster unity.”
The former Anambra governor ssid it was “alarming and unacceptable that a distinguished senator would deploy intimidation, incendiary remarks, or political threats capable of heightening tensions, instilling fear in voters, and potentially inciting electoral violence in Osun State.”
Although the senator clarified after the backlash that followed his statement that he meant “kill Accord with votes”, Obi said the statement from the senator was filled with threat of violence.
Describing elections as “a celebration of democratic franchise,” Obi said they are meant to be “a peaceful exercise through which citizens freely choose their leaders without intimidation, harassment, or coercion.”
He has said that resorting to “threats of force or disruption undermines the integrity of our electoral process, disrespects the electorate, and threatens the fragile peace of the state.”
Obi has demanded that Fadahunsi “retract these harmful statements and tender an apology to the peaceful people of Osun State.”
He has also called on “all political leaders, stakeholders, and party loyalists across party lines” to “exercise the utmost restraint, moderate their language, and recommit themselves to peace and democratic decorum.”
On the role of security agencies, Obi has said “the relevant security agencies must closely monitor inflammatory statements and ensure equal protection for all citizens, election officials, and voters before, during, and after the polls.”
He has insisted that “the democratic mandate belongs to the people,” stressing that “no individual, regardless of status or political office, should attempt to subvert the will of the people through fear or coercion.”
The ADC candidate urged “the good people of Osun State to remain calm, peaceful, and resolute as they exercise their constitutional civic duty at the polls,” adding that “getting elections right is a necessary step towards a New Nigeria that is possible.”
(The Whistler)