Retract your ‘harmful’ statement, apologise to Osun people — Obi tells Fadahunsi
NDC Presidential Candidate Urges Senator to Retract Comments Ahead of Osun Governorship Election
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has called for Senator Francis Fadahunsi to retract alleged inflammatory remarks and apologize to the residents of Osun State ahead of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday.
Fadahunsi, who represents the Osun East Senatorial District, faced backlash after a video circulated in which he appeared to instruct his supporters to “kill” members of the Accord Party in the lead-up to the election. The senator later clarified that his remarks were meant to urge his supporters to “kill Accord” with their votes, not through violence.
Obi issued a statement on Tuesday, titled “Senator Francis Fadahunsi’s Incendiary Rhetoric Ahead of the Osun Election,” expressing concern over rhetoric that he said could escalate tensions in the state.
“As a prominent lawmaker in the National Assembly, Senator Fadahunsi has a constitutional and moral obligation to promote peace, uphold democratic norms, and foster unity,” Obi said.
He characterized the senator’s comments as “alarming and unacceptable,” warning that such political threats could intimidate voters and potentially incite electoral violence.
Obi emphasized the importance of conducting elections peacefully, allowing citizens to choose their leaders without intimidation or coercion. “Resorting to threats undermines the integrity of our electoral process and threatens the fragile peace of the state,” he added.
The former governor of Anambra State urged Fadahunsi to withdraw his statements and extend an apology to the people of Osun. “I therefore respectfully demand that Senator Fadahunsi retract these harmful statements and apologize to the peaceful people of Osun State,” he said.
Additionally, Obi called on political leaders, party supporters, and other stakeholders to moderate their language and exercise restraint as the election approaches. He also urged security agencies to closely monitor inflammatory statements and ensure the safety of voters and election officials during the electoral process.
“The democratic mandate belongs to the people, and no one should attempt to subvert their will through fear or coercion,” Obi continued. He appealed to Osun residents to remain calm and peaceful while exercising their right to vote on Saturday.
