Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, has backtracked on his controversial “Kill Accord” remark, saying the expression was not a call for violence but a directive to All Progressives Congress supporters to defeat the Accord Party at the ballot box.
Fadahunsi’s clarification came after a video of his remarks, made while addressing APC supporters in Ilesa ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election, sparked controversy and drew calls for police intervention.
In the viral footage, the senator was heard speaking in Yoruba and reportedly accusing Accord Party members of attacking APC supporters before urging those at the gathering to “kill” Accord. He was also seen challenging supporters to record his remarks and circulate them on social media.
The comments triggered a reaction from the campaign council of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, which urged the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to investigate the senator and take appropriate action.
But in a statement issued by his media office in Osogbo on Tuesday, titled “Kill Osun Accord With Votes, Not Violence, Senator Fadahunsi Tells APC,” the senator sought to recast the controversial expression as political rhetoric.
According to the statement, Fadahunsi was calling on APC supporters to “overwhelmingly reject the Accord Party at the ballot box through lawful, peaceful and democratic means” during the August 15 election.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Senator’s statement was purely political and metaphorical,” the statement said.
The senator’s media office further insisted that Fadahunsi was not advocating violence, intimidation or physical attacks against Accord members or supporters.
“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.
“His consistent position has always been that elections should be decided by the votes of the people and not by force.”
Fadahunsi subsequently urged APC supporters and other political actors to maintain peace before, during and after the election.
He also called on security agencies to remain professional and ensure that voters could exercise their constitutional rights without fear or intimidation.
The senator said he remained committed to democratic values, issue-based campaigns and a credible electoral process, stressing that the will of the people should prevail through the ballot.
The clarification followed a demand by the Adeleke campaign council that the Inspector-General of Police investigate the senator’s alleged remarks.
The campaign’s spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, had described the video as a serious security concern capable of threatening lives and undermining the peaceful conduct of the election.
“This is a serious threat to lives and the peaceful conduct of the August 15 election.
“Mr Inspector-General of Police, this must be addressed immediately. Nobody has the right to kill an Accord member or any citizen. Nobody has the right to stop Osun people from voting. Enough is enough!”
The campaign had urged the police to intervene and ensure that political differences did not translate into threats or violence.
Fadahunsi’s latest statement has now shifted the controversy from an alleged call for physical retaliation to a dispute over the meaning of his words, with the senator insisting that “kill Accord” was a metaphor for defeating the party politically.
The episode comes amid heightened political activity in Osun, where parties are intensifying their final mobilisation ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
With the poll only days away, the controversy has also renewed attention on the language used by political actors and the responsibility of party leaders to prevent campaign rhetoric from fuelling tension.
For Fadahunsi, the message he says he intended to send is now unequivocal: Accord should be defeated with votes, not violence.