By Usman Adeyemi

Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, has denied calling for violence against Accord Party members, saying his statement was taken out of context and manipulated with AI.

A video currently circulating on social media showed the senator speaking in Yoruba at a political gathering in Ilesa, where he appeared to urge APC members to “kill” Accord Party members. He was also seen daring those present to record and share his remarks ahead of the August 16 Gubernatorial Election.

Speaking on “Politics Today” on Tuesday, the retired Customs officer denied the claim. He said Artificial Intelligence was used to distort the video.

“My statement was purely politically metaphorical, and was quoted out of context,” Fadahunsi said. “At no point did I advocate violence, intimidation or any form of physical attack against members or supporters of the Accord Party or any other political party. I meant that voters should ‘kill’ the ruling party with votes and not with weapons.”

“I told them this shows that they are weak and cannot win. They should shut them down by their votes; they should kill them by their votes.”, he added.

The senator, who boasted of his years in Osun politics, said his track record and performance would convince Osun people, particularly Ilesa indigenes, to vote massively for his party on Saturday.

Describing himself as a “gentleman of peace,” Fadahunsi condemned any form of violence and urged APC supporters to maintain law and order during the election. He also called on security agencies to remain professional and allow voters to exercise their constitutional rights without fear or intimidation.

“My consistent position has always been that elections should be decided by the votes of the people and not by force,” he added.

Meanwhile, Hon. Bamidele Salam, member representing Ede North/South/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives on the platform of the Accord Party, condemned the rising violence ahead of the Osun poll.

Salam urged Senator Fadahunsi to reflect the true tenets of democracy in his speech, dealings and actions. He also called on residents to have confidence in the government of Governor Ademola Adeleke and to choose their preferred candidates peacefully.