The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has blamed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as the political climate that led to controversial remarks attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
The ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, made the allegation during an interview with Arise News on Wednesday, arguing that Fadahunsi may have interpreted President Tinubu’s recent comment that “all is fair in politics” as a licence to cross the boundaries of acceptable political conduct.
“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,” Mr Abdullahi said.
Fadahunsi, the senator representing Osun East Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), came under intense criticism after a video circulated online in which he appeared to tell supporters to “kill” members of the Accord Party.
The remarks triggered widespread condemnation and prompted the Osun State Police Command to invite the senator for questioning over allegations that his comments were threatening and capable of inciting violence ahead of the election.
Fadahunsi, however, denied calling for physical attacks on Accord supporters. After appearing before the police, he said his statement had been misinterpreted, insisting that he meant his supporters should defeat the Accord Party “with their votes”.
His media team subsequently described the comment as political and metaphorical, saying the senator was calling for a decisive electoral defeat of the Accord Party through peaceful and democratic means.
But the ADC said the controversy should not be viewed in isolation, arguing that rhetoric from political leaders could influence supporters at grassroots level and potentially lower the threshold for violence during elections.
Mr Abdullahi said political leaders had a responsibility to make clear that electoral competition must remain within the bounds of democratic and peaceful engagement.
The controversy comes just days before the August 15 Osun governorship election, which is being closely watched amid heightened political tensions and reports of violence in parts of the state.
The contest is principally between incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, APC candidate Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji and ADC candidate Najeem Salam, among others.
