The senator representing Osun East Senatorial District, Francis Fadahunsi, has clarified his controversial “Kill Accord” comment, saying he was referring to defeating the Accord Party at the ballot box and not encouraging violence.

Fadahunsi came under criticism after a video circulated on social media showing him addressing All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters in Ilesa ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election.

In the video, the senator, speaking in Yoruba, accused Accord Party supporters of attacking APC members. Some of his remarks were interpreted as a call for confrontation.

Reacting to the controversy, his media office, in a statement issued in Osogbo on Tuesday, titled “Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence, Senator Fadahunsi Tells APC,” explained that the senator’s statement was political and metaphorical.

The statement said Fadahunsi was urging APC supporters to defeat the Accord Party through lawful, peaceful and democratic means at the polls.

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

The senator’s media team stressed that he did not advocate physical attacks, intimidation or violence against Accord Party members or supporters.

“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,” it added.

According to the statement, Fadahunsi’s position remains that elections should be determined by the votes of the people rather than force.

The senator also called on political parties, their supporters and voters to maintain peace before, during and after the election.

He urged security agencies to remain professional and ensure that eligible voters can exercise their constitutional rights without fear or intimidation.

Fadahunsi’s media office further stated that the senator remained committed to democratic values, issue-based campaigns and a credible electoral process.

It appealed to the public not to interpret or deliberately distort his comments as an endorsement of violence, insisting that the senator was advocating electoral victory “through the power of the ballot and not through violence.”