By Luminous Jannamike
ABUJA — The Accord Party has called for the immediate prosecution of Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi over what it described as an alleged call for the killing of its members and supporters in Ijeshaland, Osun State, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The party said the alleged remarks, contained in a campaign video circulating widely on social media, had raised fresh fears over the safety of voters and political supporters as the state heads to the polls, insisting that no political contest should put citizens’ lives at risk.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Joseph Omorogbe, Accord said Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District, allegedly made the remarks while addressing members of the All Progressives Congress during a campaign in Ijeshaland.
The party urged security agencies to act swiftly to prevent the alleged threat from escalating into violence.
“His outburst is outrageous and reprehensible, and has heightened the political tension in the state ahead of the governorship election,” Accord said.
The party called on the Inspector-General of Police and Director-General of the Department of State Services to apprehend Fadahunsi and take steps to rein in his supporters and alleged APC thugs.
Accord argued that the alleged remarks were particularly troubling coming from a serving senator only days before the election, saying political competition should never become a licence to threaten the lives of opponents.
“For a sitting senator to condescend so low to publicly threaten the lives of fellow compatriots days to the gubernatorial poll in the state is unjust and unacceptable,” the party said.
The party also alleged that more than 60 of its members had been arrested and detained in Abuja and Nasarawa State in a move it claimed was aimed at keeping them away from Saturday’s election.
It further alleged that the Police were planning to arrest more of its leaders and members before the poll, describing the alleged arrests as part of a wider effort to restrict its presence and create an advantage for the APC.
“This theatre of the absurd and fear mongering must stop forthwith,” Accord said.
The party alleged that its members and supporters across Osun had been subjected to political violence, harassment, intimidation and arrests by thugs it claimed were associated with the APC, with the alleged activities carried out in collusion with the Police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Accord demanded the immediate release of those it described as illegally detained and urged the relevant authorities to ensure that all political parties and their supporters could participate freely in the election.
It also appealed to the international community, including the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, United States Embassy, United Kingdom Embassy, African Union and ECOWAS, to closely monitor developments in Osun and condemn what it described as activities capable of undermining democracy.
“The people demand a free, fair, credible, inclusive and peaceful governorship election that meets international standards,” the party said.
Accord urged Osun voters to come out and exercise their franchise without fear, stressing that the choice of governor should be determined by the electorate rather than intimidation or violence.
“Accord prepares for an election, not war. The political ambition of anybody is not worth the blood of fellow citizens,” the party said.
The party called on all stakeholders to resist any attempt to manipulate the electoral process in favour of any political party and allow voters to freely choose their governor.
“Let the Osun electorate freely choose their governor. Any attempt to undermine the electoral process in favour of a political party must be resisted by all stakeholders,” Accord said.
It then urged its supporters to vote for Governor Ademola Adeleke, describing him as the leader they trusted to continue his work in the state.
The party described Saturday’s election as a defining moment for Osun and urged voters to support Accord, which it said was first on the ballot, insisting that its victory would herald peace and prosperity in the state.
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