The African Democratic Congress has shifted the focus of the controversy surrounding Senator Francis Fadahunsi’s remarks ahead of the Osun State governorship election, with the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, placing responsibility on President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking on Arise News on Wednesday, Abdullahi argued that Fadahunsi may have understood the President’s earlier comment that “all is fair in politics” as a political green light for actions intended to secure victory.
“I don’t want to blame Senator Fadahunsi. I blame President Bola Tinubu,” Abdullahi said, insisting that the senator derived his perceived authorisation from the President’s statement.
Fadahunsi’s Controversial Campaign Remarks
The dispute centres on comments attributed to Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District.
The senator was recently invited by the Osun State Police Command for questioning following remarks made at an All Progressives Congress campaign rally in Ilesa.
The comments were interpreted as encouraging attacks against members of the rival Accord Party, triggering political controversy ahead of Saturday’s election.
Abdullahi argued that the responsibility should not be viewed solely through the conduct of the individual senator, but also through the language used by senior political leaders.
Abdullahi’s Interpretation of Tinubu’s Statement
According to the ADC spokesman, political statements from the presidency can carry significant weight among supporters and party members.
He argued that describing politics as a contest in which “all is fair” could be interpreted by political actors as permission to cross established boundaries in pursuit of electoral victory.
“A president doesn’t need to say everything,” Abdullahi said, arguing that those who look to the President for direction could interpret such remarks in ways that extend beyond their original intention.
His comments have consequently placed renewed attention on the language politicians use during increasingly competitive election campaigns.
What Tinubu Actually Said
The controversy follows remarks made by President Tinubu on July 28 while receiving the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
During the meeting, Tinubu warned political opponents seeking to defeat him in the 2027 presidential election that he would not surrender without a fight.
He described the contest as a democratic one in which “all is fair in a democratic contest.”
The statement came as political parties began intensifying preparations for the 2027 general elections.
ADC Raises Alarm Over Security Presence
Beyond the dispute over political rhetoric, Abdullahi raised concerns about the security arrangements surrounding the Osun election.
He described what he called the “militarisation” of the state’s political environment, arguing that the heavy presence of military and other armed personnel had created doubts about whether Saturday’s poll would meet expectations of a credible and transparent election.
Abdullahi said the scale of the deployment was particularly concerning because of the political sensitivity surrounding the election.
Arise News also reported his description of the security mobilisation as unusually heavy and troubling.
ADC Predicts Victory for Najeem Salaam
Despite his concerns about the electoral environment, Abdullahi expressed strong confidence in the ADC’s chances.
The party is fielding Najeem Salaam as its candidate, and Abdullahi said his confidence had increased after visiting Osogbo and observing what he described as significant grassroots support.
“If this is going to be a free and fair election, ADC will win this election,” he declared.
He also rejected the argument that Salaam’s performance during an Arise News town hall had damaged his prospects, saying voters were more interested in how a candidate planned to address their problems than in the sophistication of his English.
An Election Under Intense Scrutiny
The competing claims have added another layer of tension to an already closely watched governorship contest.
For the ADC, the central issue is not simply whether its candidate can mobilise sufficient support but whether the electoral process will provide a level playing field.
The party’s criticism of the security deployment, combined with Abdullahi’s attack on the political message attributed to Tinubu, reflects broader concerns about the conduct and credibility of the Osun contest.
Saturday’s Test for Osun
With the election approaching, the focus is now shifting from campaign rhetoric to the conduct of the vote itself.
The ADC maintains that it can defeat its rivals if the process is free and fair.
At the same time, Abdullahi’s comments have ensured that the political language surrounding the contest—and the President’s interpretation of what is permissible in electoral competition—will remain part of the debate long after the ballots are counted.
For Osun voters, Saturday’s election will ultimately provide the clearest test of whether the competing parties’ claims about strength, security and electoral fairness match what happens at the polling units.
