•Says His “Killing” is Metaphorical
Safiu Kehinde
Hours after inciting the All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters in Ilesa and its environs to kill any Accord Party members spotted in their area, Senator Francis Fadahunsi has recanted his statement, labelling his call to kill the ruling party’s members as metaphorical.
NPO Reported that the lawmaker representing Osun East Senatorial District had in a viral video on Tuesday charged the APC supporters to kill Accord Party members and their families.
He accused the party of the incumbent Osun governor, Ademola Adeleke, of the being responsible of the past and recent killings across the state.
In the wake of his address in Ilesa, Fadahunsi came under fire as members of the public slammed him over what was considered further incitement of violence in a state already tensed ahead of the August 15 Governorship Election.
The lawmaker would however recant his words in a separate statement issued by his media office.
The media team claimed that Fadahunsi’s death threat aganst the Accord Party members was statement purely political and metaphorical.
They maintained that the lawmaker was misinterpreted, stressing that he only charged the APC members to kill Accord with votes.
“The attention of Senator Francis Fadahunsi has been drawn to reports and reactions arising from his statement urging members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to “kill Osun Accord with votes.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Senator’s statement was purely political and metaphorical.
“It was a call on supporters to overwhelmingly reject the Accord Party at the ballot box through lawful, peaceful and democratic means during the August 15 governorship election.” The statement partly read.
The media office reiterared that 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 Senator therefore urges political actors, party supporters and the electorate to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the election.
“He also calls on security agencies to remain professional and ensure that every eligible voter is able to exercise their constitutional right without fear or intimidation.” The statement read further.
His media team affirmed his committnent to democratic values, issue-based campaigns and a credible electoral process, adding that the lawmaker believes that the will of the people, freely expressed through the ballot, must always prevail.
They urge members of the publuc not to misinterprete his statement.
“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 team stated.