Osun Election Tension: Adeleke Campaign Council Demands Action After Senator Fadahunsi’s Alleged ‘Kill Accord Members’ Remark

OSOGBO — Tension has intensified ahead of the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election following a viral video in which Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District, was reported to have directed supporters to attack members of the Accord Party.

The reported statement has drawn condemnation from the campaign council of Governor Ademola Adeleke, which described the remarks as inciting and a serious threat to the peaceful conduct of the election.

According to a report by Peoples Gazette, Fadahunsi made the remarks on Tuesday while addressing supporters and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ilesa.

In the video, the senator, who is also identified as one of the prominent campaigners for the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, was reported to have spoken in Yoruba and allegedly instructed his supporters to target Accord Party members in Ilesa.

The report said the remark was met with cheers from some of the supporters present at the gathering.

Adeleke Campaign Council Raises Alarm

Reacting to the development, spokesperson for Governor Ademola Adeleke’s campaign council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, condemned the reported statement and called on security authorities to intervene immediately.

Olajengbesi described the remarks as undemocratic and inflammatory, warning that such statements could heighten political tension and threaten the safety of voters and political actors ahead of Saturday’s election.

“This is a serious threat to lives and the peaceful conduct of the August 15 election,” he said.

The campaign council subsequently called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to address the matter and ensure that political differences do not degenerate into violence.

The council stressed that no political actor has the right to prevent citizens from participating in the electoral process.

Concern Over Election-Related Violence

The latest controversy comes amid heightened concerns over political violence in Osun State as the governorship election approaches.

The August 15 poll is expected to be keenly contested, with the major political camps intensifying their campaigns and mobilisation across the state.

Against that background, statements perceived as threats against rival political parties have attracted increased attention from political stakeholders and observers.

The Adeleke campaign council said the alleged remarks should not be ignored, particularly given the potential consequences for voters and residents who may be afraid to freely participate in the election.

Police Yet to Comment

As of the time of the report, the police had not publicly responded to the allegation.

The report stated that the police spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Zechariah, did not respond to a request for comment regarding Fadahunsi’s reported statement.

The absence of an immediate official response has further fuelled calls from political actors for security agencies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the video and determine whether any offence was committed.

Political Stakes Rise Ahead of August 15

The controversy adds another layer of tension to an already closely watched election.

The election is expected to determine whether Governor Ademola Adeleke will retain the governorship or whether the APC can take control of the state through its candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.

With the election only days away, political parties and their supporters are expected to intensify mobilisation across the state’s local government areas.

Political analysts and civil society stakeholders have repeatedly stressed the importance of peaceful campaigns, responsible rhetoric and respect for the rights of opposing political parties.

Calls for Restraint

The latest development has also renewed calls for political leaders to caution their supporters against inflammatory language and actions capable of triggering violence.

Elections are fundamentally a contest for political legitimacy through votes, and not a struggle in which citizens should fear for their lives because of their political affiliations.

The reported comments attributed to Fadahunsi are therefore likely to remain a major subject of discussion as security agencies, political parties and voters prepare for Saturday’s election.

For now, attention will be on the response of the police and other relevant authorities, as well as whether the APC senator will clarify or respond to the allegation surrounding the viral video.

The development comes at a particularly sensitive moment for Osun, with stakeholders expected to ensure that political competition does not undermine the safety of voters or the credibility of the electoral process.