There are moments in politics when a word acquires a life of its own, travelling beyond intention into an atmosphere already charged with suspicion and fear. By the time the explanation arrives, the damage may already have travelled much further.
Osun has had one such moment in the controversy surrounding Senator Francis Fadahunsi and a video in which he appeared to tell supporters to kill members of the Accord Party. Fadahunsi has maintained that he was speaking metaphorically, meaning political defeat rather than physical harm, and has sought to explain the remarks within the context of alleged attacks on APC supporters. The controversy has nevertheless triggered police questioning and calls for action, adding another layer of tension to an already combustible political environment.
The episode matters because it exposes something larger than the meaning of one politician’s words. It raises a question about the kind of political culture Osun wants
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