By Lizzy Chirkpi
Tension has heightened in Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election following allegations that Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, threatened to kill supporters of the Accord Party during the poll.
In a video circulating ahead of the August 15 election, Fadahunsi, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was allegedly heard warning that Accord supporters would not be allowed to vote, even if they presented their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
“From now on, whenever you see Accord members, kill them. I authorise you to kill them. They have wives and children too.
“This is a Federal Government election. On election day, even if they come with voters card, we won’t allow them to vote,” he was quoted as saying.
The alleged remarks have further inflamed an already tense political atmosphere in Osun, where the Accord Party, the APC and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are locked in a fierce contest for control of the state.
The development comes barely four days before the election, with rival political camps trading accusations of violence, intimidation, arrests and alleged attempts to manipulate the electoral process.
On Monday, the First Lady of Osun State, Mrs Titilola Adeleke, led a women’s protest to the state Police Command in Osogbo, demanding action over alleged attacks and arrests of Accord members and supporters.
The protesters specifically called on the police to invite Senator Fadahunsi, former federal lawmaker Wole Oke and Kehinde Raji for questioning over alleged cases of political violence.
“We are demanding a free and fair election in the forthcoming poll. We want peace; let there be peace,” Adeleke said during the protest.
She also appealed to the police to intervene over what she described as threats against members and supporters of the ruling party.
“Invite them for questioning to stop killing our husbands and children. Make them sign an undertaking,” she said.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of the Osun election, CP Samuel Erale Etaifo, however, cautioned political actors against activities capable of escalating tensions among rival groups.
Etaifo said his mandate was to stabilise the state and provide an enabling environment for all political actors and voters to participate in the election without fear.
“We don’t want tension before the election. We want peace. We cannot conduct an election in an insecure environment,” the police commissioner said.
He warned politicians against attempts to manipulate the electoral process, stressing that anyone found culpable would be arrested.
“If you are a manipulator of any election, that is even the worst. The IGP and Nigeria will not forgive you. I will arrest you and take you to Abuja because this election is a federal election; we must get it right,” he said.
The police warning came as security agencies intensified preparations for the election.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed more than 10,000 personnel, alongside specialised tactical units, to the state to protect voters, electoral officials, election materials and other stakeholders during the poll.
With the election just days away, security agencies and political stakeholders are under growing pressure to prevent violence and ensure that voters are able to exercise their franchise freely and safely.