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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

I meant ‘kill Accord’ with votes, not violence, Fadahunsi

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Senator Francis Fadahunsi clarified his "Kill Accord" comment, stating it meant defeating the Accord Party electorally.
  • He urged All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters to use votes, not violence, in the upcoming governorship election.
  • His media office emphasized the statement was political and metaphorical, not an endorsement of violence.

Senator Francis Fadahunsi has clarified his controversial "Kill Accord" comment, asserting it was a metaphorical call for supporters to defeat the Accord Party through votes, not violence. The lawmaker representing Osun East Senatorial District addressed the viral video, where he was heard speaking in Yoruba and urging the defeat of Accord Party members in Ilesa.

Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence, Senator Fadahunsi Tells APC

— Senator Fadahunsi's media officeThe title of the statement clarifying the Senator's remarks.

In a statement released by his media office, Fadahunsi's team explained that the comment 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 stressed that the Senator's remarks were purely political and metaphorical, and did not indicate advocacy for violence against any individual or political party.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Senator’s statement was purely political and metaphorical.

— Senator Fadahunsi's media officeEmphasizing the non-literal intent of the 'Kill Accord' comment.

Fadahunsi urged APC supporters to maintain law and order during the election and called on security operatives to ensure voters could exercise their constitutional rights without fear. He reiterated his commitment to democratic values and issue-based campaigns, emphasizing that elections should be decided by the people's votes. The statement appealed to the public not to misinterpret or distort his comments, which were intended to encourage electoral victory through the ballot.

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.

— Senator Fadahunsi's media officeDenying that the Senator promoted violence.

This clarification comes after the campaign council of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate Fadahunsi's "inciting comment" against Accord Party members. The senator's office maintained that his consistent position has always been that elections should be decided by votes, not force.

His consistent position has always been that elections should be decided by the votes of the people and not by force.

— Senator Fadahunsi's media officeReiterating the Senator's commitment to democratic electoral processes.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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