The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the alleged inciting remarks by Senator Francis Fadahunsi, describing them as evidence of the “politics of war and blood” allegedly being promoted by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP said Nigerians and the international community were shocked by a viral video in which Fadahunsi was heard saying, “So, we have come to tell you, up till the day of the election, if we see them, it is killing.”
In a statement on Wednesday, the spokesman of the Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the PDP, the party described the comment as “uncivilised and appalling,” warning that such rhetoric could heighten tensions ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election and the 2027 general elections.
The PDP faction alleged that Fadahunsi’s statement was consistent with what it described as a pattern of aggressive political rhetoric associated with the APC.
The opposition party recalled statements attributed to President Bola Tinubu, then the APC presidential candidate, stating power is not served a la carte and that one must “grab it, snatch it, and run with it.”
The PDP also recalled President Tinubu’s recent statement that “all is fair in politics,” saying that
such rhetoric had contributed to raising the political temperature in the country to “unprecedented fever-pitch levels.”
“Elections were not structured as a do-or-die contest but as an opportunity for the masses to freely choose their leaders,” the party said.
The PDP accused the ruling party of allegedly normalising “warlike rhetoric” through what it described as intimidation of citizens, attempts to silence opposition voices and efforts to influence electoral outcomes.
It called for a transparent investigation into the Fadahunsi incident, as well as other alleged threats capable of undermining peaceful and credible elections in Osun State.
The party also urged President Tinubu, the APC and their officials to desist from what it termed “anti-democratic narratives and threats” under the guise of political communication.
“Civility must take centre stage in our political communication, and the elections must be a true reflection of the will of the people, freely given through the ballot,” the PDP said.
The party said adherence to these principles was the “irreducible minimum” required of the government and all political parties to protect democracy and national stability.
(The Whistler)
