The APM, in a statement signed by its Lagos State Publicity Secretary, Ayodele Kazeem, condemned the alleged remarks, which it said reportedly called on supporters to attack or kill members of the Accord Party and threatened violence against supporters of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke.
The Lagos State chapter of the Allied People’s Movement has called on security agencies to investigate an alleged inciting statement attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi of the All Progressives Congress ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
The party, however, stressed that the allegation should first be properly investigated, saying that if the reported statement was authentic and accurately represented the senator’s words, it would be “deeply disturbing, reckless and completely unacceptable” in a democratic society.
According to the APM, elections should be contests of ideas, policies and the will of the people rather than battles in which political opponents are treated as enemies.
The party urged the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Independent National Electoral Commission and relevant prosecutorial authorities to establish the authenticity and circumstances surrounding the alleged statement and determine whether it constituted an offence under Nigerian law.
It said if Fadahunsi was found, after investigation, to have made the alleged statements or encouraged violence against political opponents, he should be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The APM expressed concern over the alleged remarks coming at a time when Osun State was preparing for its governorship election, stressing that political leaders should be preaching peace, tolerance and respect for human life.
It also called on political parties, candidates, supporters and campaign organisations taking part in the election to exercise restraint and reject inflammatory rhetoric.
The party said the people of Osun State should be allowed to choose their leaders freely without intimidation, threats or violence.
“Democracy can only thrive when political differences are settled through the ballot box and not through bullets, bloodshed or brigandage,” the party said.
The APM further warned that silence in the face of alleged incitement to violence could embolden individuals who place political power above human life, urging the relevant authorities to act swiftly and transparently on the matter.
