Tinubu’s ‘all is fair’ remark emboldened Osun senator Fadahunsi, ADC spokesman

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has pointed fingers at President Bola Tinubu for controversial comments made by Senator Francis Fadahunsi, suggesting the President's "all is fair in politics" remark emboldened the senator. Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC's National Publicity Secretary, stated on Arise News that he does not blame Fadahunsi but rather President Tinubu, arguing that the senator likely interpreted the President's statement as authorization for any action to secure electoral victory.

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I don’t want to blame Senator Fadahunsi. I blame President Bola Tinubu. He got his imprimatur for what he said from President Bola Tinubu. He got his authorisation from President Bola Tinubu.

Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, was recently summoned by the Osun State Police Command. This followed remarks he made at an All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally in Ilesa, which were widely interpreted as a call to attack members of the rival Accord Party. Abdullahi elaborated that a presidential statement like "all is fair in politics" can be perceived by subordinates as granting latitude to engage in unacceptable conduct, including violence or electoral malpractice, to ensure victory.

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When the President of the Federal Republic says ‘all is fair in politics,’ it means that you can maim, you can kill, you can steal, you can do whatever it takes, just deliver victory.

President Tinubu made the "all is fair in a democratic contest" remark on July 28 while receiving the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria. This statement came as political parties intensify activities in preparation for the 2027 general elections. Abdullahi also expressed confidence in the ADC's chances in the Osun governorship election if conducted fairly, but raised concerns about the "militarisation" of the state's political landscape due to the deployment of armed security personnel, questioning the election's credibility.

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A president doesn’t need to say everything. When a president says ‘all is fair in politics,’ you are authorising any kind of behaviour. A subordinate, someone who looks up to you, can interpret it anywhere they like.