Senator Francis Fadahunsi has denied allegations that he incited violence against members of the Accord Party in Osun State.

The denial followed a viral video in which Fadahunsi was allegedly heard asking his supporters to kill any Accord Party member found in Ilesa ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

Fadahunsi, in a statement on Tuesday, described the video as a “deliberate misrepresentation” of his remarks.

The senator said he was speaking about alleged attacks and killings of members of his party in Ilesa by suspected Accord Party thugs.

He explained that his warning of retaliation was in response to the alleged continued violence against APC members.

According to him, his remarks were edited from a speech that lasted about 24 minutes and circulated on social media to create a false impression of what he said.

Fadahunsi maintained that his party would not fold its arms if its members continued to be attacked, insisting that the party had a right to defend its members.

He said: “If the alleged killing of our party members by Accord Party thugs does not stop, our party will retaliate.”

The senator also called for justice over the alleged attacks, stressing that those involved in the violence were Nigerians from the same communities.

Meanwhile, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has accused Fadahunsi of inciting violence and making what he described as threats of “genocide” against Accord Party members.

Adeleke has consequently asked the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the viral video and take appropriate action.

The governor said the investigation was necessary to prevent the alleged threats from being carried out, stressing that nobody, regardless of position, should be above the law.

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has disowned any levy reportedly being collected by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in connection with mobilisation for national service.

The NYSC made the clarification in a statement signed by its Director, Information and Public Relations, Mrs Caroline Embu, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Embu said the NYSC had neither discussed nor agreed to any levy with NANS in connection with the mobilisation of graduates for national service.

“The NYSC wishes to state unequivocally that it has not, at any time, discussed, agreed to, or entered into any Memorandum of Understanding with NANS regarding the collection of any levy from students,” she said.

She explained that the NYSC operated under the authority of the Federal Government and implemented only policies, guidelines and procedures approved by relevant government authorities.

According to her, the mobilisation process was conducted through established official channels involving NYSC management and Heads of Corps Producing Institutions (CPIs).

She said the institutions were responsible for providing required information on their graduates to facilitate the mobilisation process for national service.

“The mobilisation process is neither linked to nor contingent upon the activities of any student association or organisation,” Embu said.

She advised students and prospective corps members to disregard any information suggesting that payment of a levy to NANS or any other association was required for NYSC mobilisation.

Embu reaffirmed the NYSC management’s commitment to maintaining a transparent, credible and efficient mobilisation process in line with extant government policies and guidelines.

The statement followed a viral publication titled, “NANS Moves to Collect N200 Levy from Nigerian Students, Links Dues to NYSC Mobilisation.”