Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, has made a U-turn on his controversial ‘Kill Accord’ remark, saying he was referring to defeating the Accord Party with votes and not attacking its members.

Fadahunsi made the clarification following the circulation of a video on social media in which he was heard calling on supporters of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to “kill” members of the Accord Party ahead of the Osun governorship election.

The senator also challenged those at the gathering to record his remarks and circulate them on social media.

In a statement issued by his media office in Osun State on Tuesday and titled ‘Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence, Senator Fadahunsi Tells APC,’ the lawmaker explained that his comment was “a call on supporters to overwhelmingly reject the Accord Party at the ballot box through lawful, peaceful and democratic means during the August 15 governorship election.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Senator’s statement was purely political and metaphorical,” the statement added.

The statement further maintained that the remark was not intended to portray Fadahunsi as someone advocating violence against members of the Accord Party or any other political group.

The senator consequently appealed to APC supporters and other political actors to maintain peace and obey the law before, during and after the election.

“At no point did Senator Fadahunsi advocate violence, intimidation or any form of physical attack against members or supporters of the Accord Party or any other political party. His consistent position has always been that elections should be decided by the votes of the people and not by force.

“The Senator, therefore, urges political actors, party supporters and the electorate to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the election. He also calls on security agencies to remain professional and ensure that every eligible voter is able to exercise their constitutional right without fear or intimidation.

“Senator Fadahunsi remains committed to democratic values, issue-based campaigns and a credible electoral process. He believes that the will of the people, freely expressed through the ballot, must always prevail.

“We, therefore, appeal to members of the public not to misinterpret or deliberately distort the Senator’s comments, as they were clearly intended to encourage electoral victory through the power of the ballot and not through violence,” the statement added.