The party said it did not support jungle justice or violence, but argued that the controversy surrounding Fadahunsi’s comments had been fuelled by what it described as a doctored version of his remarks.

The statement said “the party believed the senator’s comments had been presented without their proper context”.

The APC alleged that “Adeleke’s criticism of Fadahunsi was connected to the senator’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and recent political developments ahead of the election”.

It also cited the endorsement of APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, by former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Secretary to the State Government Fatai Akinbade and former South-West PDP Deputy Chairman Tajudeen Oladipo.

The party claimed that the endorsements had altered the political calculations ahead of the poll, although it did not provide independent evidence for its assertion that the development was responsible for the governor’s actions.

The APC accused the state government of failing to adequately address alleged killings involving its members and supporters in Ijesaland, while questioning what it described as the governor’s response to the security situation.

However, the party maintained that it did not endorse violence, stressing that any allegation of threats or incitement should be addressed through lawful channels.

Separately, lawyers representing Olajengbesi issued a formal letter of demand to Fadahunsi over statements allegedly made during interviews on Viable TV on July 2 and Channels Television’s Politics Today on August 11.

The letter, signed by Hammed Lasisi of Law Corridor on behalf of Olajengbesi, accused “Fadahunsi of making statements that allegedly questioned Olajengbesi’s origin and linked him to cult groups and alleged acts of violence.”

According to the letter, “Fadahunsi allegedly described Olajengbesi during the Viable TV interview as being not even from the same Ijebu-Jesha and from somewhere in Ogun State”, while also accusing him of “using thugs, Eiye and Aye”.

The lawyers cited a statement allegedly made by Fadahunsi during the Channels Television programme in which he referred to the late Ajayi Aderogba, popularly known as Rogba, as an “Eiye man sponsored by Barrister Olajengbesi”.

Olajengbesi’s lawyers said their client denied “the allegations and demanded that Fadahunsi cease making similar claims, retract the statements, issue a public apology and provide a written undertaking not to repeat them within 24 hours of receiving the letter.”

The lawyers warned that “failure to comply would lead to legal proceedings seeking, among other reliefs, damages of ₦10 billion for alleged defamation and injurious falsehood, as well as injunctions, costs and other remedies available under the law.”

The party called on the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Services, DSS, to apprehend Fadahunsi and rein in his supporters and APC thugs.

“For a sitting senator to condescend so low to publicly threaten the lives of fellow compatriots days to the gubernatorial poll in the state is unjust and unacceptable,” Accord said in a statement signed by Joseph Omorogbe, National Publicity Secretary.

“Osun people are law abiding and want to freely exercise their civic responsibility without threat to their lives and property.”

The party called on the international community, particularly the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, United States Embassy, United Kingdom Embassy in Nigeria, the Africa Union and ECOWAS to pay close attention to the political situation in Osun State and condemn activities of anti-democratic forces.

“The people demand a free, fair, credible, inclusive and peaceful governorship election that meets international standards.”

Accord also demanded the immediate release of over 60 of its members allegedly arrested and illegally detained in Abuja and Nasarawa State.