‘Kill Accord’ remark: Timi Frank demands suspension of Osun senator

A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called for the immediate suspension and arrest of Senator Francis Fadahunsi over alleged inflammatory remarks ahead of the Osun State governorship election.

Frank also urged security agencies to investigate the senator, saying statements capable of inciting electoral violence must not be tolerated.

In a video circulating online, Fadahunsi was heard speaking in Yoruba, accusing members of the Accord Party of attacking APC members and urging those present to “attack” Accord supporters in Ilesa.

However, the senator later said his comments were “purely political and metaphorical.”

In a statement on Wednesday, Frank described the remarks as “unguarded” and dangerous to Nigeria’s democracy, and called on the Federal Government and security agencies to act swiftly.

“I condemn the comment of Senator Francis Fadahunsi strongly and call on the security agencies to immediately act, despite his position, to arrest the senator with all urgency,” Frank said.

He said the Senate should not ignore comments by one of its members that could threaten peace and security during an election.

“The Senate must immediately suspend such a senator who can make such unguarded statements. We want to see action taken as an example to everyone involved in election violence,” he said.

Frank linked the alleged comments to what he described as a broader APC strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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He also compared the situation with the detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged comments, and questioned what he described as a double standard in the government’s response to statements by opposition figures and members of the ruling party.

“That is why the APC and the Presidency have remained quiet. If such a statement had been made by an opposition senator or anybody in the opposition, the person would have been in prison by now,” he said.

According to him, consistency and fairness are needed in responding to political statements capable of causing public concern.

Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, also called on the United States, the UK, the EU and the wider international community to monitor the Osun election.

“I call on the US government, President Donald Trump, the UK, EU and the entire international community not to remain quiet over such an incendiary statement coming from a serving senator in Nigeria,” he said.

He urged the international community to consider measures, including possible visa restrictions, against politicians whose actions or statements could undermine Nigeria’s democratic process.

The opposition leader warned that the Osun election must be free, fair and credible, and that the will of the electorate must prevail.

“Osun election must not be rigged. The will of the people must count in Osun. Nigerians should not take this Osun election lightly if they decide to rig it.

“I urge the voters and citizens of Osun State not to be intimidated by these kinds of statements. I ask the voters and the people of Osun to rise up, vote and defend their votes,” he said.

He further warned that Fadahunsi and the ruling party should be held responsible for any violence arising from the election.

“If anything happens in Osun State, this senator and the ruling party must be held responsible,” Frank said.

He also called on security agencies to remain neutral and professional before, during and after the election, and to resist any attempt to harass opposition members.

“The credibility of the Osun election will have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s democracy and could serve as a pointer to what Nigerians should expect in the 2027 general elections,” he added.

Meanwhile, Senator Francis Fadahunsi has responded to reports and reactions trailing his statement urging APC members to “kill Osun Accord with votes.”

In a statement issued by his Media Office in Osogbo on August 11, 2026, the senator said his comment was “purely political and metaphorical.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Senator’s statement 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,” the statement said.

It added that at no point did Fadahunsi advocate violence, intimidation or any form of physical attack against members or supporters of the Accord Party or any other political party.

“The Senator therefore urges political actors, party supporters and the electorate to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the election,” it said.

The statement further called on security agencies to remain professional and ensure every eligible voter exercises 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,” it concluded.

“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.”