APC senator in Osun State has sparked controversy after allegedly telling supporters to kill members of the Accord Party, just days before the state’s governorship election on Saturday, 15 August. The remarks, attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi in a circulating video, have heightened concerns about intimidation and political violence as voters prepare to choose their next governor.
Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East in the Senate, was shown addressing supporters in Yoruba while discussing the Accord Party and the approaching election.
The video was shared on social media by Nigerian singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, who also provided an English translation of the senator’s comments.
According to the translation reported by Punch, Fadahunsi allegedly told his supporters: “From now on, whenever you see Accord members, kill them.”
He was also reported as saying that Accord supporters should not be allowed to vote even if they arrived at polling stations with their voter cards.
New Daily Prime has not independently established the full context of the remarks or verified Davido’s translation of every part of the Yoruba-language video. However, other Nigerian news organisations have reported the same footage and identified Fadahunsi as the politician speaking.
Remarks raise fears ahead of Osun governorship election
The comments come at a sensitive time in the Osun governorship election, with political tensions rising as campaigning enters its final days.
Governor Ademola Adeleke is seeking another term on the platform of the Accord Party after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party.
His political move has reshaped the contest and placed Accord at the centre of the battle for control of Osun State.
New Daily Prime reported in December that the Accord Party had welcomed the prospect of Adeleke joining its platform as preparations intensified for the 2026 election.
The latest controversy is particularly significant because Nigeria’s electoral process guarantees eligible voters the right to cast their ballots without intimidation.
Attempts by political supporters or other individuals to prevent properly accredited voters from participating can amount to electoral offences, depending on the circumstances and applicable provisions of Nigerian law.
The alleged remarks have therefore added to calls for political leaders and their supporters to avoid inflammatory statements that could encourage confrontation before, during or after Saturday’s vote.
Tinubu had called for peaceful Osun poll
President Bola Tinubu has previously called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies and political parties to ensure that elections in Osun and Ekiti are peaceful and credible.
In his Democracy Day address in June, Tinubu said disagreements in a democracy should be resolved through established institutions rather than violence.
“I urge INEC, security agencies, and all parties to ensure these polls are peaceful and credible,” the President said.
That appeal has taken on greater significance as rival political camps trade accusations of intimidation and provocative rhetoric ahead of the Osun vote.
Nigeria has previously deployed large numbers of police officers and other security personnel during sensitive elections to protect polling stations, election officials and voters.
New Daily Prime reported that security and electoral officials monitored a recent Kano by-election, where voting proceeded without reported major incidents.
For voters in Osun, the priority on Saturday will be to follow instructions from INEC and authorised security officials, avoid confrontations and report suspected threats or electoral offences through appropriate official channels.
The senator’s reported comments should not be interpreted as having any legal authority. Political office holders cannot lawfully authorise supporters to attack opponents or independently decide that eligible voters should be prevented from casting their ballots.
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