Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on Senator Francis Fadahunsi to withdraw and apologise for remarks that have sparked outrage after being interpreted as a call for violence against members of the Accord Party ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
The controversy erupted after a video from an All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally in Ilesa showed Fadahunsi making a statement in Yoruba that was widely interpreted as telling supporters to “kill” members of Accord if they encountered them before election day.
The video quickly spread across social media, triggering criticism from political actors and members of the public at a time when tensions are already running high across the state.
Fadahunsi later attempted to clarify the statement, insisting that his choice of words was political and metaphorical.
The senator said he was urging APC supporters to “kill Accord with votes” by defeating the party at the ballot box, rather than physically attacking its members.
But for Obi, the explanation does not completely erase the concern raised by the original statement.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the former Anambra State governor said he received the remarks with “deep regret” and “profound concern”, particularly because they came from a serving senator only days before voters are expected to choose their next governor.
Obi argued that public officials, especially senior lawmakers, have a responsibility to lower political tensions rather than use language that could frighten voters or inflame supporters.
According to him, election periods demand an even greater level of restraint because statements made at political rallies can easily be interpreted differently by supporters on the ground.
He described the reported remarks as “alarming and unacceptable”, warning that political rhetoric capable of being interpreted as a threat could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
For Obi, the issue goes beyond what Fadahunsi may have intended.
The former governor said politicians must also consider how their words could be understood by party supporters and ordinary citizens already living amid heightened political tension.
Obi stressed that elections should be moments when citizens freely choose their leaders, rather than periods when voters feel compelled to make decisions out of fear.
“Elections are a celebration of democratic franchise,” Obi said.
He argued that intimidation, harassment, coercion and threats have no place in a democratic contest.
According to him, political leaders who resort to provocative language risk undermining the very democratic process they seek to participate in.
He also warned that inflammatory statements could have consequences beyond the immediate political contest, particularly if supporters interpret them as permission to confront or attack members of rival parties.
Obi Demands Retraction And Apology
The NDC presidential candidate therefore called on Fadahunsi to formally withdraw the controversial remarks and apologise to the people of Osun State.
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He also appealed to politicians across party lines to lower the temperature of their campaigns and avoid statements that could provoke violence in the final days before Saturday’s election.
Obi said political ambitions should never take precedence over the safety and wellbeing of citizens.
He urged candidates, party leaders and supporters to remember that whatever the outcome of the election, they would still have to live together after the ballots had been counted.
Obi further called on security agencies to take inflammatory political statements seriously and closely monitor rhetoric capable of triggering violence.
He urged authorities to provide equal protection for voters, electoral officials, journalists and other citizens before, during and after the election.
According to him, security agencies must ensure that no political party or individual is allowed to use fear to influence the electorate.
Ultimately, Obi said, the decision over who governs Osun State belongs to the voters.
“The democratic mandate belongs to the people,” he stressed.
With just days to the August 15 election, the controversy surrounding Fadahunsi’s remarks has added another layer of tension to an already fiercely contested race, making calls for restraint and peaceful participation even more urgent.