Osun youths ask residents to forgive Fadahunsi for his remarks

Youths from Osun East Senatorial District held a rally in Ilesa, Osun State, on Tuesday to support their senator, Francis Fadahunsi.

At the rally, which took place on several streets in the town, the youths urged residents not to judge the senator based on an alleged inciting comment. They asked people to look at the good things he has done for the district since his election to the Senate.

The youths, under the group name Osun Pro Youths Frontiers, gathered in the Isokun area of Ilesa. They marched through Oke-Ola, Ita Akogun, and Atakunmosa Market to the Roundabout area, promoting Fadahunsi’s re-election bid for the 2027 general elections.

Holding placards that showed Fadahunsi’s achievements, the youths later moved to the Ereja Palace Square in Ilesa. Their leaders spoke to the crowd there.

Biola Olatunbosun, the group’s coordinator, said Fadahunsi had apologized for the statement linked to him. He also expressed worry about the rising violence in the state.

Olatunbosun called on political leaders, especially in the six local government areas of Ijesaland, to avoid actions that could cause trouble. He asked them to follow the example of good-hearted people from Ijesa who have helped develop various communities.

He pointed out that many projects, like the Owa Palace, a geriatric hospital, and scholarships for deserving students, were funded by donations from the Ijesa elite.

He urged the political class to act similarly.

Olatunbosun asked the people to forgive Fadahunsi for his comments. He said, "No one is infallible; we all make mistakes. The Senator’s apology should be enough for an Omoluabi, especially considering his contributions to Nigeria and the Osun East Senatorial District."

He continued, "Those pushing for Fadahunsi’s recall from the Senate should stop and join the electoral process. The senator’s alleged statement was wrong, he has apologized, and we believe he deserves forgiveness."

As the 2027 elections approach, he urged the youths in the area to reject political thuggery and be peace ambassadors in their communities.

Reports say another group of youths from Osun East Senatorial District also protested peacefully in Ilesa against the senator.

Olatunji Olorunfemi, who spoke for the protesters, said Fadahunsi made comments that could lead to violence when he threatened members of the Accord Party before the August 15 governorship election won by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress in the six local government areas of Ijesa rejected calls for Fadahunsi’s recall. They called those behind the recall effort anti-APC.

Akinyele Akintola, the Director of the Contact and Mobilisation Committee of the APC in Ijesa South Federal Constituency, shared this in a statement in Osogbo. He claimed Fadahunsi’s political rivals were behind the protest and warned people in Osun East against actions that could cause unrest.