Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, has insisted that a viral video in which he was allegedly heard directing supporters to kill members of the Accord Party and their family members was edited to distort the meaning of his remarks.

Fadahunsi made the clarification after he was interrogated by the Osun State Police Command in connection with the controversial video, which has generated widespread reactions ahead of the state’s governorship election.

The senator arrived at the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo on Wednesday, August 12, following an invitation from the police to explain his comments in the video. He was accompanied by the Commissioner of Police in charge of election and security, Samuel Erale.

After the interrogation, Fadahunsi maintained that he never called for the physical killing of members of the Accord Party, the political platform of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

According to the senator, the video circulating on social media had been deliberately edited to remove the context of what he was saying.

Fadahunsi: ‘I meant kill Accord with votes’

Fadahunsi explained that his reference to “killing Accord” was political and referred to defeating the party at the polls rather than physically attacking its members.

He said he was responding to allegations of attacks and killings involving members of his party and alleged supporters of the Accord Party in Ilesa and other parts of Osun State.

The senator had earlier stated that if attacks against APC members continued, the party would defend itself rather than remain passive.

“The video was deliberately edited to distort what I actually said,” Fadahunsi said in his clarification.

He maintained that his original statement was about retaliation in response to alleged attacks against APC members and insisted that his intention was not to encourage violence against Accord Party supporters.

In another explanation after his police interrogation, Fadahunsi reportedly said his use of the word “kill” referred to defeating the Accord Party with votes.

“I said kill Accord with votes, not violence.”

The senator also reportedly accused those behind the circulation of the video of deliberately manipulating his words for political purposes.

Police questioned senator over viral video

The police invitation followed growing concerns over the contents of the video, which circulated widely on social media and appeared to show Fadahunsi making remarks interpreted as a call for violence against Accord Party members.

The Osun State Police Command summoned the senator to clarify the statement as political tension intensified ahead of the governorship election.

Police authorities said the matter required investigation because of the potential implications of inflammatory statements during an election period.

Fadahunsi spent about two hours with investigators before leaving the police headquarters. Reports subsequently said he was granted bail after the interrogation.

Adeleke demands action over alleged threat

The controversy had earlier drawn a strong response from Governor Ademola Adeleke and his political camp.

Adeleke called for the arrest and prosecution of Fadahunsi over the alleged threat, describing the contents of the viral video as a serious matter that required police intervention.

The governor’s campaign organisation also petitioned Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, seeking protection for Accord Party members and supporters ahead of the election.

The campaign council argued that the statement could heighten political tension and expose party supporters to danger during the election period.

The controversy comes against the backdrop of heightened political rivalry in Osun, where Adeleke is seeking re-election on the Accord Party platform while the APC is challenging for control of the state.

Fadahunsi says his remarks were taken out of context

Fadahunsi has continued to reject the interpretation that he was asking his supporters to kill Accord Party members.

He argued that the full context of his remarks showed that he was discussing alleged political violence and the need for APC members to defend themselves if attacks continued.

The senator also accused those circulating the edited clip of attempting to damage his reputation and create political tension.

He said the issue would be addressed through the appropriate legal channels, suggesting that those responsible for what he described as the distortion of his statement could face legal action.

Political tension rises ahead of Osun election

The controversy has added another layer to an already tense political atmosphere in Osun State.

The 2026 governorship contest has been marked by fierce rivalry between the Accord Party and APC, with accusations of political intimidation and violence featuring prominently in the campaigns.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had listed Governor Adeleke as the Accord Party’s candidate, while the APC is fielding Bola Oyebamiji.

Against this background, statements by senior politicians are attracting heightened scrutiny from security agencies, political parties and the public.

Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd.), also weighed into the broader controversy, calling for decisive action against politicians and other prominent Nigerians who make statements capable of inciting violence.

For now, Fadahunsi maintains that his viral “kill Accord” remark was political rhetoric referring to defeating the party with votes and that the circulating footage was edited to give his words a different meaning.

The police investigation and the competing claims surrounding the video are expected to keep the controversy in the spotlight as Osun heads into a highly contested election season.

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