‘ If We See Any Accord Party Member, We’ll Kill Them,’ Osun APC Senator Fadahunsi Tells Supporters Ahead Of Saturday’s Election

 

In the video, Fadahunsi is heard telling his supporters that Accord Party members should be attacked if they are seen in the area before the election.

The Senator representing Osun East Senatorial District, Francis Fadahunsi, has threatened members of the Accord Party with death, telling All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters in Ilesa, Osun State, that they should kill any Accord Party member they see between now and election day, Saturday, August 15.

Fadahunsi, who is an APC figure in Osun State, made the statement while addressing supporters in the Yoruba language in a video obtained by SaharaReporters.

In the video, Fadahunsi is heard telling his supporters that Accord Party members should be attacked if they are seen in the area before the election.

“If we hear of Accord Party again in Ilesa here for the election coming up on Saturday, you can record me and say it anywhere,” he said in the video.

“We have told you before that their cap looks jaundiced and they belong to animals. How many persons have APC supporters killed?”

He then questioned supporters about alleged killings involving members of the APC, before making the threat against members of the Accord Party.

“How many people have you seen APC killed or aren’t your people killed?” he asked.

“So we are here now to tell you that till the day of the election, if we see any Accord Party members, we’ll kill them.

“We cannot be watching.”

According to him, even if Accord Party members with PVCs want to vote on Saturday, they won’t be allowed to do so.

He also warned chiefs whom he accused of supporting the Accord Party.

He vowed that Ijesa land would not contain such chiefs and declared that, henceforth, it would be “an eye for an eye or an eye for anything.”

“We had taken Ijesa with levity before but now it’s time to let the Owa of Obokun know that he is the king of Obokun not APC or Accord but if some of his chiefs allow themselves to be used, Ijesa Land will not contain them. Henceforth, it is an eye for an eye or an eye for anything,” he said

He also issued further threats against the chiefs, warning that those found harbouring people he described as Accord Party supporters would face death.

The remarks come amid heightened political activities in Osun State ahead of the forthcoming governorship election and growing concerns over the possibility of violence and intimidation during the electoral process.

The remarks come amid heightened political tension in Osun State ahead of the governorship election, with accusations and counter-accusations between the APC, Accord Party and supporters of incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The Accord Party has been involved in a series of controversies and confrontations in the state in recent months, including allegations of arrests and attacks against some of its members.

In July, the Imole Campaign Council accused security operatives allegedly linked to Fadahunsi of arresting Popoola Alaba, the Accord Party candidate for Ijesa South Federal Constituency, alongside other party members.

The campaign council explained that the arrest was politically motivated and intended to keep Accord leaders away from political activities ahead of the election.

The Osun State Police Command, however, gave a different account, saying Alaba was arrested following a petition dated July 4 over allegations bordering on illegal mining and other offences. The police also said some people arrested alongside him attacked officers attempting to free him and damaged a police vehicle.

Fadahunsi’s media adviser, Sam Segun-Progress, had rejected the allegations linking the senator to Alaba’s arrest, describing them as “unfortunate, reckless and completely devoid of credible evidence.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Francis Fadahunsi has absolutely nothing to do with the allegations contained in the statement,” Segun-Progress said.

The latest alleged threat attributed to Fadahunsi could further inflame political tensions in the state, particularly because it directly targets supporters of another political party.

The development is also coming against the backdrop of broader allegations of political violence in Osun ahead of the election. Governor Adeleke recently accused several APC figures, including Fadahunsi, of promoting political violence and called for sanctions against them. The APC figures have rejected such accusations.

Accord supporters have also stated that their members have been subjected to arbitrary arrests and attacks, while accusing APC-linked actors of being responsible for violence against them.

Earlier on Tuesday, Nigerian music star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, who is Governor’s Adeleke’s nephew, called on the United States President Donald Trump and the international community to pay close attention to the forthcoming Osun State governorship election amid growing concerns over possible violence, intimidation and disruption of the democratic process.

Adeleke made the appeal in a statement addressed directly to President Trump as political activities intensified ahead of the election.

In the statement, the music star urged the United States and other members of the international community to monitor developments surrounding the election and encourage Nigerian authorities to protect voters and ensure that the outcome of the poll reflects the wishes of the electorate.

“President Donald Trump, I am calling your attention to the situation in Osun State, Nigeria, as we approach the election,” he said.

Adeleke said concerns over the security situation surrounding the election had continued to grow, stressing that residents of the state should be allowed to exercise their constitutional rights without intimidation or fear.

“There are growing concerns about tension and the possibility of violence, intimidation, or disruption of the democratic process. Osun people deserve to exercise their constitutional right to vote freely, peacefully, and without fear,” he said.

The singer further appealed to the United States Government and the broader international community to pay close attention to the conduct of the election and encourage relevant Nigerian authorities to take steps to safeguard voters and protect the integrity of the ballot.

“I appeal to the United States and the international community to pay close attention to the election and encourage all relevant authorities to ensure that every voter is protected and every vote is respected.”

Davido also called for a peaceful electoral process, stressing that the people of Osun State should not be subjected to violence or intimidation during the election.

His appeal came against the backdrop of heightened political tension in the state, with political actors campaigning and mobilising supporters ahead of the poll.

SOURCE: SAHARA REPORTERS