The Senator representing Osun East Senatorial District, Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, has clarified a viral video circulating on social media, saying his comments were edited and deliberately taken out of context.
Fadahunsi, who chairs the Senate Committee on Industries, said the statement he made was in reference to alleged attacks and killings of members of his party in Ijesa land.
In a statement on Tuesday, the senator said he was concerned about the alleged violence involving political supporters ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
“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,” he stated.
According to him, what he said was that if the alleged killing of his party members by suspected Accord Party thugs continued, his party would retaliate.
“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,” Fadahunsi said.
He explained that he had also referred to the death of a man identified as Rogba in Esa-Oke, which he said was allegedly linked to a clash involving members of the same cult group.
Fadahunsi said his remarks were intended to demand justice and warn against continued attacks on political supporters.
“My statement was very clear: if the killings do not stop, we shall also retaliate. We are here to lodge complaints and demand justice,” he said.
The senator accused those circulating the video of deliberately removing portions of his speech to create a misleading impression.
“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,” he alleged.
Fadahunsi further claimed that several people had been killed in separate incidents in Ilesa, including alleged killings at Kajola Junction and the Igbogi area.
He alleged that more than 12 APC members had been killed, while accusing the Osun State Government of failing to adequately condemn the reported incidents or reassure residents of their safety.
The senator, however, called on residents across Ijesa land to remain peaceful ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
“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,” he said.
Fadahunsi stressed that political differences should not lead to violence, urging stakeholders to protect lives and ensure a peaceful, free and credible electoral process.
“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,” he added.
