Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, has clarified his controversial “Kill Accord” remark, saying he was calling on All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters to defeat the Accord Party through their votes and not through violence.
Fadahunsi came under scrutiny after a video surfaced on social media showing him speaking in Yoruba while accusing members of the Accord Party of attacking APC supporters and urging those at a gathering in Ilesa to confront their opponents.
The senator was also seen challenging those present to record his comments and share them on social media.
The remarks were reportedly made while Fadahunsi was addressing APC supporters in Ilesa ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
However, in a statement issued by his media office in Osogbo on Tuesday and titled, “Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence, Senator Fadahunsi Tells APC,” the senator explained that his statement was political and metaphorical.
According to the statement, Fadahunsi was urging APC supporters to overwhelmingly reject the Accord Party at the ballot box through lawful, peaceful and democratic means.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Senator’s statement was purely political and metaphorical,” the statement said.
His media office further stressed that Fadahunsi was not advocating violence, intimidation or physical attacks against members or supporters of the Accord Party or any other political organisation.
The senator also called on APC supporters, other political actors and the electorate to maintain peace and comply with the law before, during and after the election.
“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 added.
Fadahunsi also urged security agencies to remain professional and ensure that eligible voters can exercise their constitutional rights without fear or intimidation.
The senator reaffirmed his commitment to democratic values, issue-based campaigns and a credible electoral process, stressing that the will of the people, freely expressed through the ballot, must 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.
Comments