Accord has demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, over an alleged threat to kill members and supporters of the party ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
The party’s demand followed a viral campaign video in which it alleged that Fadahunsi openly incited members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against Accord supporters during a campaign engagement in Ijeshaland.
Accord, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Joseph Omorogbe, on Wednesday, described the alleged remarks as “outrageous and reprehensible”, warning that they could further inflame an already tense political atmosphere ahead of the August 15 poll.
The party called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately investigate the video, apprehend Fadahunsi if the allegations are established, and rein in individuals allegedly mobilised to unleash violence against political opponents.
Accord accused APC-linked thugs of subjecting its members and supporters across the state to alleged political violence, intimidation, harassment and arrests, claiming that the latest incident vindicated its earlier warnings about threats to its supporters.
“For a sitting senator to condescend so low as to publicly threaten the lives of fellow compatriots days before the gubernatorial poll in the state is unjust and unacceptable,” the party declared.
It warned that the alleged incitement had heightened fears among residents and could undermine the credibility of the election if security agencies failed to act decisively.
The party insisted that the people of Osun State must be allowed to exercise their constitutional right to vote without fear, intimidation or threats to their lives and property.
Accord also appealed to the international community, specifically the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, United States Embassy, British Embassy, African Union and ECOWAS, to closely monitor developments in Osun and condemn what it described as activities capable of undermining democracy.
But the party’s accusations extended beyond the alleged campaign video.
Accord alleged that more than 60 of its members had been arrested and detained in Abuja and Nasarawa State in what it described as an attempt to prevent them from participating in Saturday’s election.
It further alleged that the Police were planning additional arrests of Accord leaders and members before the poll, describing the development as a deliberate attempt to keep opposition figures out of circulation and create an environment conducive to electoral manipulation.
“This theatre of the absurd and fear-mongering must stop forthwith,” the party declared.
Accord said it was preparing for an election, not a war, insisting that no political ambition was worth the blood of Nigerian citizens.
“Let the Osun electorate freely choose their governor,” the party said, warning that any attempt to manipulate the electoral process in favour of any political party must be resisted by all stakeholders.
The party called for a free, fair, credible, inclusive and peaceful governorship election conducted in accordance with democratic and international standards.
Accord nevertheless urged its supporters and the people of Osun to turn out en masse on Saturday and vote for its candidate, Governor Ademola Adeleke, whom it described as a trusted leader capable of continuing the development of the state.
The party described the election as a defining moment for Osun, urging voters to choose peace, prosperity and democratic freedom.
“A vote for Accord, the first on the ballot paper, is a vote for peace and prosperity in Osun State,” the statement said.
The allegations against Senator Fadahunsi could not be independently verified from the statement alone, and the senator’s response was not contained in the material provided by Accord.
Source: Independent NG
