Osun Poll: ADC Blames Tinubu For Fadahunsi’s ‘Kill Accord Members’ Remark 

The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has faulted President Bola Tinubu for controversial “kill Accord Members” remarks attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.

Abdullahi stated this while speaking on Arise News on Wednesday, saying he would not blame Fadahunsi for the comments, arguing that the senator may have interpreted Tinubu’s earlier declaration that “all is fair in politics” as a go-ahead to take any action necessary to secure electoral victory.

“I don’t want to blame Senator Fadahunsi. I blame President Bola Tinubu. He got his imprimatur for what he said from President Bola Tinubu. He got his authorisation from President Bola Tinubu,” Abdullahi said.

Fadahunsi, the senator representing Osun East, was recently invited by the Osun State Police Command for questioning over remarks he made at an APC campaign rally in Ilesa, which were widely interpreted as inciting attacks on members of the rival Accord Party.

Abdullahi, while explaining his position, argued that the President’s comment could be construed by political actors as giving them the freedom to resort to unacceptable tactics in their bid to secure electoral victory.

“When the President of the Federal Republic says ‘all is fair in politics,’ it means that you can maim, you can kill, you can steal, you can do whatever it takes, just deliver victory.

“A president doesn’t need to say everything. When a president says ‘all is fair in politics,’ you are authorising any kind of behaviour. A subordinate, someone who looks up to you, can interpret it anywhere they like,” he said.

LEADERSHIP recalls that President Tinubu had, on July 28, while receiving the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, warned political opponents seeking to defeat him in 2027 that he would not back down without a fight.

“All is fair in a democratic contest,” the President said, amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Meanwhile, Abdullahi said he was optimistic that the ADC, with Najeem Salaam as its candidate, could win Saturday’s Osun governorship election if the poll is conducted in a free and fair manner.

However, he raised concerns over what he termed the “militarisation” of the state’s political environment, arguing that the presence of armed security personnel had cast doubt on the credibility of the election.

“If this is going to be a free and fair election, ADC will win this election,” Abdullahi said.