Senator Francis Fadahunsi has clarified his viral “kill Accord” comment, saying he was calling on All Progressives Congress supporters to defeat the Accord Party with votes and not through violence.
Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District, issued the clarification on Tuesday through his media office after a video of him speaking in Yoruba circulated widely on social media.
The senator was seen addressing APC supporters in Ilesa ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election and was heard using the phrase “kill Accord” while speaking about the opposition party.
The remark generated controversy, with Governor Ademola Adeleke’s campaign council calling for an investigation by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.
In a statement titled “Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence, Senator Fadahunsi Tells APC,” the senator’s media office said the remark was political and metaphorical.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Senator’s statement was purely political and metaphorical,” the statement said.
It maintained that Fadahunsi had not called for 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,” it added.
The senator urged APC supporters, Accord members and other political actors to maintain peace throughout the electoral process.
He also called on security agencies to remain professional and ensure that voters were allowed to exercise their constitutional rights without fear or intimidation.
Fadahunsi’s clarification comes amid heightened political tension in Osun ahead of the governorship election, in which Governor Ademola Adeleke is seeking another term on the Accord platform, while the APC is fielding Bola Oyebamiji.
The two political camps have traded accusations over alleged intimidation, arrests and political violence as campaigns intensify.
Fadahunsi has been one of the more vocal APC figures campaigning against Adeleke’s re-election bid. In June, he accused the governor of harbouring individuals involved in violence and predicted that Adeleke would be defeated in the August election.
The governor’s camp rejected the allegations.
Political tensions also intensified in July following the arrest of Accord’s House of Representatives candidate for Ijesa South, Popoola Alaba. The Imole Campaign Council alleged that the arrest was politically motivated and linked to individuals around Fadahunsi.
The police, however, said Alaba was arrested over a petition alleging illegal mining and that investigations were ongoing.
Against that backdrop, the latest “kill Accord” controversy has attracted particular attention because of concerns about political violence ahead of the election.
Fadahunsi’s media office insisted that the senator’s message was about electoral competition and not physical confrontation.
“The Senator, therefore, urges political actors, party supporters and the electorate to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the election,” the statement said.
Fadahunsi also reaffirmed his commitment to democratic values, issue-based campaigns and a credible electoral process.
He said the will of the people should prevail through the ballot and urged members of the public not to deliberately distort his remarks.
The clarification comes as political parties and security agencies prepare for the August 15 poll, with stakeholders under pressure to ensure that campaign rhetoric does not escalate into violence.
