Osun Election: Hashim warns against violence, calls for peaceful election

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 ac…

OSOGBO — The presidential candidate of the Accord Party, Dr Gbenga Hashim, has warned political actors and supporters against inciting violence ahead of the Osun State governorship election scheduled for Saturday. Hashim, in a statement, said those making inflammatory statements or encouraging violence could face legal consequences, urging all stakeholders to allow voters to exercise their franchise peacefully. His warning followed reports of a comment allegedly made by Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, concerning members of the Accord Party ahead of the election.

Although Fadahunsi has reportedly denied making the statement attributed to him, the comment generated reactions across the country. Hashim described alleged calls for violence during elections as unacceptable, stressing that political differences should not be allowed to threaten lives or undermine the electoral process. He said relevant security and law enforcement agencies should investigate any allegation of incitement and take appropriate action where wrongdoing is established.