Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, has denied calling on All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters to physically attack members of the Accord Party ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
Fadahunsi came under criticism after a video circulating online showed him telling APC supporters in Ilesa to “kill” any Accord Party member they encountered before election day.
The remark sparked widespread condemnation, with Governor Ademola Adeleke’s campaign council and other Nigerians accusing the senator of making a statement capable of inciting violence.
However, speaking during an interview with Channels Television, Fadahunsi said his words had been taken out of context. According to him, he was referring to defeating the Accord Party at the polls through overwhelming votes.
“I told them this shows that they are weak and cannot win. They should shut them down by their votes; they should kill them by their votes,” he explained.
The senator further alleged that the viral footage had been deliberately edited to misrepresent what he said.
Fadahunsi claimed his comments were made against the backdrop of alleged attacks on APC supporters in Ilesa and other parts of Osun State. He said he was warning that his party would defend its members if the alleged violence continued.
He maintained that the APC would not remain passive if its members were attacked or killed, stressing that he would continue to stand up for party supporters and constituents.
Meanwhile, Adeleke’s campaign council has called for Fadahunsi’s immediate arrest and prosecution over what it described as a threat against its members.
The council urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services to investigate the senator and take appropriate legal action.
The controversy comes as political tensions rise across Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, amid growing concerns over election-related violence.