Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo
The Senator representing Osun East Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Industries, Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, has debunked a viral video circulating on social media, describing it as a misleading and deliberate attempt to misrepresent his statement.
Fadahunsi said it was disheartening and unacceptable for anyone, especially a responsible political party, to engage in the killing of opposition members.
“My attention has been drawn to an edited video being circulated by Davido on TikTok and Pelumi Olajengbesi on other social media platforms. The video was deliberately edited to distort what I actually said.
“What I said was that if the alleged killing of our party members by Accord Party thugs does not stop, our party will retaliate. I was referring to the continued violence and attacks against our members in Ilesa and other parts of the state.
“I made reference to one Rogba, who was killed in Esa-Oke by his co-cultists. The governor had referred to the deceased as his son and was also engaged in a disagreement with a sitting member of the House of Representatives on live television.
“My statement was very clear: if the killings do not stop, we shall also retaliate. We are here to lodge complaints and demand justice. It is unacceptable for human beings to kill fellow human beings the way our members are allegedly being killed in Ilesa.
“All those being killed are Nigerians and, indeed, sons and daughters of the same communities. I stated unequivocally that if our party members are killed again, we will not simply fold our arms and watch. We will defend our people, even if such an incident occurs on election day.
“Unfortunately, Davido and Olajengbesi took less than two minutes from a speech that lasted about 24 minutes and circulated it to achieve cheap political objectives. This is a clear case of deliberate misrepresentation and manipulation.
“It will be recalled that last night, three vibrant young men were reportedly killed at Kajola Junction, Imo, Ilesa. Shockingly, while we were preparing for our rally in Ilesa this morning, reports also emerged that more than eight young people were allegedly murdered in cold blood in the Igbogi area of Ilesa.
“As of the time of this protest, more than 12 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had reportedly been killed, yet there has been no adequate statement from the state government condemning these incidents and assuring citizens of their safety.
“We cannot continue on this dangerous path. Elections should be about ideas, policies and the choice of the people, not violence and bloodshed.
“I therefore urge all eligible voters and residents across Ijesa land to embrace peace. I call on everyone to remain calm, reject violence and come out peacefully on Saturday to exercise their civic responsibility by voting for the party of their choice.
“Our democracy must not be destroyed by violence. We must protect the lives of our people and ensure that the electoral process is peaceful, free and credible.”