The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has blamed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s earlier remark that “all is fair in politics” for what it described as the controversial comments attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi ahead of the Osun State governorship election.
ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi made the allegation while appearing on Arise News, arguing that Fadahunsi may have interpreted the President’s statement as approval for political actors to do whatever was necessary to secure electoral victory.
Abdullahi said he did not want to place the entire blame on Fadahunsi, insisting that the senator may have drawn confidence from the President’s earlier political statement.
According to the ADC spokesman, political statements from the highest levels of government can influence the behaviour and interpretation of political actors, particularly during a highly competitive election.
The controversy comes against the backdrop of heightened political tension ahead of the Osun governorship election scheduled for August 15.
Fadahunsi had faced police scrutiny over a viral comment interpreted by some as a call to “kill” members of the Accord Party. The senator later clarified that his use of the word “kill” referred to defeating the party politically through votes, rather than physical violence.
The controversy has generated condemnation and debate across political circles, with calls for political actors to avoid statements capable of escalating tensions ahead of the poll.
The ADC has continued to warn against violence and what it considers inflammatory political rhetoric as Osun voters prepare to cast their ballots.