Controversy has erupted in Osun State after Senator Francis Fadahunsi, an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker representing Osun East Senatorial District, was allegedly heard calling on supporters to kill members of the Accord Party ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The alleged remarks were contained in a video shared on social media by Afrobeat singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.
Davido described Fadahunsi as a sitting senator and provided an English translation of the remarks made by the person seen speaking in Yoruba in the video.
According to the translation shared by Davido, … said, “From now on, whenever you see Accord members, kill them. I authorise you to kill them. They have wives and children too.
“This is a Federal Government election. On election day, even if they come with voter cards, we won’t allow them to vote.”
In another part of the video, the speaker reportedly continued to address supporters about the Accord Party and the forthcoming election.
According to the translation, the senator said, “What kind of life is that? If we hear anything about Accord in Ilesa here, record me and go and tell them.
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“When we tell them, the cap they are putting on is a bad one, yellow one.
“So, we have come to tell you now, from now till the election day, if we see them, kill them o.”
The allegations have emerged just days before Osun voters are due to elect a governor, with incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party.
The reported comments have raised fresh concerns about the potential for political violence and voter intimidation in the state.
Political camps have exchanged accusations of intimidation and inflammatory statements as campaigning enters its final phase.
The development also comes against the backdrop of repeated appeals from security agencies, political parties and other election stakeholders for supporters to reject violence and allow voters to participate freely in the electoral process.
With the election only days away, heightened political tensions in Osun have increased scrutiny of statements and activities by politicians and their supporters, particularly those that could threaten the safety of voters or undermine the credibility of the poll.
Watch the video below: