By Stephen Oladele
The campaign organisation of Osun State Governor and governorship candidate of the Accord Party, Ademola Adeleke, the Imole Campaign Council (TICC), has asked the police in the state to made public the investigation conducted on the call for the killing of the Accord members allegedly made by the senator representing Osun East, Francis Fadahunsi.
Fadahunsi,a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had in a viral video, allegedly called on members of his party in Ijeshaland and the state at large to kill members of the Accord in the state
But, the Senator has denied the allegation saying the video was doctored to misrepresent him.
He has however been invited by the police in the state for investigation over his utterrances in the video.
The Adeleke’s campaign organisation, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengnesi, said since the alleged threat of killing was issued by Fadahunsi, members of the Accord party in the Ijeshaland and across the state had come under imense fear for their life
The organisation while stating that it considers humanlife to be too precious to be subjected to such alleged daring threat said it was necessary for the police to demonstrate that the matter is being handled with seriousness it deserves.
It argued that the public was entitled to know that the police intervention does not end up to be a mere ploy to calm public anger but a genuine intervention to ensure that reckless utterances come with consequences
The statement reads: “The Imole Campaign Council (TICC), has called on the Nigeria Police Force to avail the public on the investigation so far conducted on the open call for the killing of Accord members by Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi ahead of August 15 governorship election in a viral video following his invitation.
‘”We consider human life to be too precious to be subjected to such daring threat by Senator Fadahunsi and as such, believes that every effort should be spared to guarantee its sanctity. Since the threat was issued by Senator Fadahunsi, our members in Ijesaland and across Osun state have come under immense fear for their life. This makes it a grave public concern, especially as we are a few days away from the governorship election.
“It is therefore necessary for the Police to demonstrate that the matter is being handled with the seriousness it deserves. The public is entitled to know that, although Senator Fadahunsi was reported to be invited by the Police, it doesn’t end up being a mere rhetoric to calm public anger but a genuine intervention to ensure that reckless utterances comes with consequences.
“Our demand is not for the Police to prejudge the Senator or presume guilt, but to demonstrate that the law applies to all equally, irrespective standings in the society. Upon the review of the threat video and established the intention to harm Accord leaders and members as threatened, we ask the Police not to waste time in charging Senator Fadahunsi to court.
“The Imole Campaign Council reiterates call to Accord leaders and members in Ijesaland not to be provoked into violence by the threat issued by Senator Fadahunsi and continue their mobilisation for Governor Adeleke re-election peacefully. Political disagreement must never become a justification to threaten the life of fellow citizens or opposing political parties.”
Fadahunsi, in a statement he issued, debunked the viral video describing it as a misleading and deliberate attempt to misrepresent his statement.
The politician who alleged that there had been killing of the APC members by thugs of the Accord party explained that what he said was that if the killing does not stop, his party would retaliate.
“My attention has been drawn to an edited video being circulated by Davido on TikTok and Pelumi Olajengbesi on other social media platforms. The video was deliberately edited to distort what I actually said.
“What I said was that if the alleged killing of our party members by Accord Party thugs does not stop, our party will retaliate. I was referring to the continued violence and attacks against our members in Ilesa and other parts of the state.
“I made reference to one Rogba, who was killed in Esa-Oke by his co-cultists. The governor had referred to the deceased as his son and was also engaged in a disagreement with a sitting member of the House of Representatives on live television.
“My statement was very clear: if the killings do not stop, we shall also retaliate. We are here to lodge complaints and demand justice. It is unacceptable for human beings to kill fellow human beings the way our members are allegedly being killed in Ilesa.
“All those being killed are Nigerians and, indeed, sons and daughters of the same communities. I stated unequivocally that if our party members are killed again, we will not simply fold our arms and watch. We will defend our people, even if such an incident occurs on election day.
“Unfortunately, Davido and Olajengbesi took less than two minutes from a speech that lasted about 24 minutes and circulated it to achieve cheap political objectives. This is a clear case of deliberate misrepresentation and manipulation.
“It will be recalled that last night, three vibrant young men were reportedly killed at Kajola Junction, Imo, Ilesa. Shockingly, while we were preparing for our rally in Ilesa this morning, reports also emerged that more than eight young people were allegedly murdered in cold blood in the Igbogi area of Ilesa.
“As of the time of this protest, more than 12 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had reportedly been killed, yet there has been no adequate statement from the state government condemning these incidents and assuring citizens of their safety.
“We cannot continue on this dangerous path. Elections should be about ideas, policies and the choice of the people, not violence and bloodshed.
“I therefore urge all eligible voters and residents across Ijesa land to embrace peace. I call on everyone to remain calm, reject violence and come out peacefully on Saturday to exercise their civic responsibility by voting for the party of their choice.
“Our democracy must not be destroyed by violence. We must protect the lives of our people and ensure that the electoral process is peaceful, free and credible,” his statement reads.
