Osun election: Lawmaker allegedly tells supporters to 'kill' Accord Party members

A senator from Osun State has ignited controversy with alleged remarks encouraging supporters to kill members of the Accord Party ahead of Saturday's governorship election. The All Progressives Congress (APC) member reportedly made these inflammatory statements in a video shared by popular Afrobeat singer David Adeleke, known as Davido.

Davido provided an English translation of the senator's remarks, which, if accurate, include directives such as, "From now on, whenever you see Accord members, kill them. I authorise you to kill them." The translation further states, "On election day, even if they come with voter cards, we won’t allow them to vote."

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From now on, whenever you see Accord members, kill them. I authorise you to kill them. They have wives and children too.

The video shows the individual addressing supporters in Yoruba, discussing the Accord Party and the upcoming election. Another portion of the alleged remarks, according to the translation, warns, "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."

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On election day, even if they come with voter cards, we won’t allow them to vote.

These alleged comments come just days before voters in Osun State are set to elect their governor, with incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party seeking re-election. The remarks, if presented in context and accurately translated, could significantly heighten concerns over political violence and intimidation in the state.

Rival political camps have already traded accusations of intimidation and inflammatory rhetoric in the lead-up to the election. This development occurs despite repeated appeals from security agencies, political parties, and election stakeholders for supporters to shun violence and ensure a peaceful electoral process. Political tensions in Osun have intensified in the campaign's final days.

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So, we have come to tell you now, from now till the election day, if we see them, kill them o.