Group Dismisses Accord’s Allegations Against Fadahunsi, Says Attacks Reflect Growing Electoral Anxiety

– Insists Criminals Won’t be Indulged Because they are Members of Opposition

The Ijesa Metropolitan Group has strongly defended Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi against allegations made by the Accord Party, describing the accusations as politically motivated and a reflection of what it called the opposition’s growing fear of impending electoral defeat.

The group was reacting to allegations contained in the text of a press conference addressed by Accord Party candidates in Osun State, where the party alleged that Senator Fadahunsi was involved in a plot with security agencies to intimidate and harass its members ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.

In a statement issued on Monday by its Convener, Ademiju Ayeni, the group dismissed the claims as baseless, insisting they were merely another attempt to tarnish the reputation of the senator.

According to Ayeni, the allegations linking Fadahunsi to acts of political intimidation, violence or the alleged misuse of security agencies followed a familiar pattern that has repeatedly surfaced whenever political opponents realise they are losing public support.

“We are not new to these lies against Senator Fadahunsi, in fact it’s always a sign his opponent have surrendered victory to him.

“A former Governor of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola once lied about a detention camp in the country home of Senator Fadahunsi, an allegation that was discovered to be a lie by the then governor to cover up his activities with an armed group known as State Boys,” Ayeni said.

The Accord Party, during its press briefing on Sunday, had accused the Osun State Police Command of orchestrating what it described as politically motivated arrests of its members and candidates.

Among other allegations, the party claimed there was intelligence suggesting an alleged nocturnal meeting involving the Osun State Commissioner of Police, another security chief and Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, where plans were supposedly made to target Accord leaders through arrests and unlawful detention.

However, the Ijesa Metropolitan Group said the accusations lacked substance and were intended to divert public attention from what it described as the Accord Party’s dwindling electoral prospects.

The group maintained that rather than concentrating on campaigning and convincing voters, the Accord Party had become preoccupied with attacking Senator Fadahunsi.

Ayeni argued that the senator’s political relevance and widespread acceptance had continued to unsettle opponents across party lines.

“The group said instead of the Accord Party team to be working on their handover notes they are busy concentrating on a man who is busy winning the hearts of electorates for his party.”

He further stated that Fadahunsi’s political value had consistently earned him acceptance wherever he served.

“Fadahunsi has always been a pride to any serious party, so when the PDP lost the opportunity to keep him, the APC embraced him and gave him the opportunity to serve again. The fear of defeat has made the Accord party obsessed with Fadahunsi by churning out lies on daily basis.”

The group insisted there was no evidence linking the senator to any acts capable of undermining the democratic process and urged political actors to conduct issue-based campaigns instead of resorting to what it described as propaganda.

Ayeni also appealed to residents of Osun State, particularly those in Ijesaland, not to be distracted by what he called “manufactured allegations” aimed at creating unnecessary political tension.

The statement further warns that no criminal will be allowed to hide under political parties to legalise crimes and expect the security agencies to indulge them because they are members of opposition party

“The group urged members of the public to ignore the rants of the Accord Party and see every lie as another idle talk to deceive the public.”

The statement concluded by expressing confidence that the electorate would remain focused on issues of governance and leadership rather than what it described as politically orchestrated smear campaigns as preparations intensify for the governorship election in Osun State.