Osun East youths fault Fadahunsi’s media team, insist on constitutional recall

 

By Abel Chigozie 

 A coalition of youths, students and concerned citizens from Osun East Senatorial District has rejected claims that its recent protest against Senator Francis Fadahunsi was politically sponsored, insisting that the demonstration was driven by concerns over accountability, political violence and representation.

The coalition, in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Akinbode Olakolupo Oluwasegun, and Secretary, Comrade Alalade Bukola Felix, said, “Our conscience is our sponsor,” while describing its members as young Nigerians drawn from the 10 Local Government Areas and an Area Council within the senatorial district.

The group was reacting to a statement issued by Fadahunsi’s media team following the protest.

The coalition said it was not interested in political confrontation but had a responsibility to speak on issues it believed affected the lives and democratic rights of constituents.

It challenged the senator’s media team to provide verifiable details of constituency interventions reportedly carried out under Fadahunsi’s representation.

According to the group, claims of youth empowerment, employment opportunities, skills acquisition, infrastructure and other interventions should be supported with specific information, including project locations, beneficiaries, dates, costs and measurable outcomes.

“If over 400 youths and women were genuinely empowered or employed through the Senator’s interventions, let the media team publish the names, Local Government Areas, dates of engagement and the institutions through which those opportunities were secured,” the coalition said.

It similarly called for details of alleged road, Information and Communication Technology and skills-acquisition projects across the district.

The group argued that constituency representation should be assessed by its measurable impact at the grassroots, rather than through media statements.

The coalition also criticised the explanation surrounding a controversial statement previously attributed to Fadahunsi during the election period.

The group said the senator had previously explained that the statement did not amount to a literal call for people to be killed, but was a reference to defeating political opponents through the ballot.

However, it said the latest response from the senator’s media team appeared to attribute the remarks to anger, passion and emotional circumstances.

The coalition questioned whether anger could excuse statements made by public officials in a politically tense environment.

It also called for proper investigation into allegations surrounding election-period violence, stressing that political leaders should understand the potential consequences of their words.

The group referenced victims of violence, including individuals it identified as Mr Sunday Obube and Hon. Kunle, and called for justice for families affected by election-related violence.

On its reported interest in the recall of the senator, the coalition said it was aware that the process must comply with constitutional and electoral requirements.

It stressed that it was not advocating violence or extra-judicial action, but would pursue what it described as “constitutional accountability.”

The group said it would take further steps when the relevant electoral authorities give the necessary approval for the recall process.

It also rejected the suggestion that dialogue alone could resolve the grievances of affected families.

While acknowledging the importance of dialogue, the coalition said meaningful engagement must be accompanied by accountability and genuine remorse.

It urged Fadahunsi to reach out to families affected by election-related violence, offer condolences and demonstrate commitment to addressing their concerns.

The coalition further called for greater transparency in constituency projects, respect for citizens’ rights and a peaceful political environment in Osun East.

“No political office is worth the blood of a single Nigerian. No election is worth the life of one youth. No political ambition should be pursued at the expense of human lives,” the statement said.

The coalition maintained that its campaign was not directed at any political party, but was focused on what it described as justice, accountability, equity and democratic participation.

It said, “We are not fighting for one political party. We are fighting for the right of every young person to live, vote, disagree, speak and participate in democracy without fear.”