Tinubu’s ‘All Is Fair’ Remark Emboldened Osun Senator Fadahunsi — ADC Spokesman

The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi, has blamed President Bola Tinubu for the controversial comments attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.

Abdullahi, who spoke on Arise News on Wednesday, said he did not hold Fadahunsi solely responsible for the remarks, arguing that the senator may have interpreted the President’s earlier statement that “all is fair in politics” as approval for actions aimed at securing electoral victory.

“I don’t want to blame Senator Fadahunsi. I blame President Bola Tinubu. He got his imprimatur for what he said from President Bola Tinubu. He got his authorisation from President Bola Tinubu,” Abdullahi said.

Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District in the Senate, was recently invited by the Osun State Police Command for questioning over remarks he allegedly made during an APC campaign rally in Ilesa.

The comments, which circulated widely on social media, were interpreted by critics as a call for attacks against members of the rival Accord Party.

Explaining his position, Abdullahi argued that the President’s remarks could be interpreted by political actors as granting them broad latitude in political contests.

“When the President of the Federal Republic says ‘all is fair in politics,’ it means that you can maim, you can kill, you can steal, you can do whatever it takes, just deliver victory,” he said.

According to him, a president does not need to explicitly endorse unlawful conduct for subordinates or supporters to interpret statements in ways that encourage excesses.

“A subordinate, someone who looks up to you, can interpret it anywhere they like,” Abdullahi added.

President Tinubu had made the “all is fair in a democratic contest” remark on July 28 while receiving members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The President had warned political opponents seeking to unseat him in the 2027 general elections that he would not surrender political ground without a contest.

Abdullahi also expressed confidence that the ADC, which is fielding former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam, as its governorship candidate, could emerge victorious if the election is conducted fairly.

He, however, raised concerns about what he described as the militarisation of the state’s political environment, alleging that the deployment of heavily armed security personnel had created fears about the credibility of the poll.

“If this is going to be a free and fair election, ADC will win this election,” Abdullahi said.

The Osun governorship election has generated heightened political tension, with allegations and counter-allegations of intimidation, violence and misuse of state institutions dominating public discourse ahead of Saturday’s vote.