Osun APC Rejects Recall Move Against Fadahunsi, Backs Senator’s Re-election

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the six local government areas making up the Ijesa axis of Osun East Senatorial District has rejected the ongoing move to recall Senator Francis Fadahunsi from the National Assembly.

The party said the recall campaign does not represent the position of genuine APC members and constituents in the area.

It described those behind the move as individuals working against the interest of the party and the development of the senatorial district.

The APC also declared its support for Fadahunsi’s continued representation of Osun East, insisting that his return to the Senate would be beneficial to the district.

The position of the party followed a protest staged by some youths and concerned residents in Ilesa over alleged inflammatory comments made by the senator before the August 15 Osun governorship election.

The six local government areas in the Ijesa axis are Obokun, Oriade, Ilesa East, Ilesa West, Atakumosa East and Atakumosa West.

The APC’s Director, Contact and Mobilisation Committee for Ijesa South Federal Constituency, Akinyele Akintola, disclosed the party’s position in a statement obtained in Osogbo on Friday.

Akintola said the protest and the call for Fadahunsi’s recall were politically motivated.

He urged political stakeholders across Osun East to avoid actions capable of creating further tension in the district.

The development has deepened for Fadahunsi, who has faced criticism over a viral video recorded before the governorship election.

In the video, the senator was accused of making comments that could incite violence against supporters of the Accord Party.

The controversy led to his invitation by the Osun State Police Command, which questioned him at the Criminal Investigation Department in Osogbo.

Fadahunsi later denied that he was calling for violence and maintained that his comments had been taken out of context.

He was subsequently released after questioning.

Despite the controversy, some constituents and youth groups have continued to demand action against the lawmaker.

A group operating under the Coalition of Youth and Students with Concerned Citizens of Osun East Senatorial District staged a peaceful protest in Ilesa.

The protesters marched through parts of the town and called for the senator to be recalled.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Olatunji Olorunfemi accused Fadahunsi of making statements capable of triggering violence.

He said the protest was only the beginning of a wider effort to remove the senator through the constitutional recall process.

“We, under the aegis of the Coalition of Youth and Students with Concerned Citizens of Osun East Senatorial District, are opposed to the reckless statements made by our Senator before the election.

“This protest is the first stage of our actions. We are recalling him back home, We are still going to Abuja. All the necessary lawful actions to recall him have been put together which we will start in a few days. We have filed the petition and we are following it with action that his recall process will follow,” Olorunfemi said.

The protesters also accused the senator of poor representation and demanded greater accountability from him.

However, the APC leadership in the Ijesa axis has rejected the allegations and maintained that Fadahunsi still enjoys significant support among constituents.

Akintola said the senator had recorded several interventions in the district since entering the Senate.

According to him, the projects linked to Fadahunsi cover education, road construction and rehabilitation, electricity, solar power, information and communication technology, youth development, women empowerment and social intervention programmes.

He also claimed that hundreds of youths and women had benefited from employment and empowerment initiatives facilitated by the senator.

“On the home front, there are physical evidence of tangible impact, Investment and achievements in Education, Road Construction and Rehabilitation, Electricity and Solar Power, ICT Projects, Youth and Women Empowerments in Skills Acquisition and Social Interventions.

“Fadahunsi is a law abiding citizen and has impeccable track record as a High Ranking Customs Officer without any blemish. He is by dint of hard work, patriotism and honest public records conferred with the prestigious honor of Order of the Federal Republic, OFR by the government. We in APC reject call for his recall by any sponsored groups or individuals,” Akintola said.

The APC chieftain said the party would not support what he described as an attempt by individuals to use the recent controversy to undermine the senator’s political future.

He also appealed to party members and other stakeholders in Osun East to remain calm and avoid actions that could further divide the people.

Akintola argued that Fadahunsi’s relationship with President Bola Tinubu and officials of federal ministries and agencies gives the senatorial district an advantage in attracting government projects.

He said retaining the senator in the National Assembly would allow the district to continue benefiting from federal programmes and interventions.

According to him, the senator’s access to federal institutions could help accelerate the implementation of projects across the 10 local government areas that make up Osun East Senatorial District.

The recall controversy comes following the August 15 governorship election and preparations for the next electoral cycle.

Fadahunsi is also seeking another term in the Senate after securing the APC ticket for Osun East at the party’s senatorial primary conducted in May.

The incumbent senator defeated his challengers to secure the party’s ticket, placing him in a position to seek re-election under the APC.

His supporters have consequently dismissed the recall campaign as a political attempt to weaken his chances ahead of the next election.

The opposing group, however, insists that its action is not about party politics but about holding an elected representative accountable.