Osun Police Summon Senator Fadahunsi Over Alleged Inciting Remarks Ahead Governorship Election
The Osun State Police Command has summoned Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, to clarify remarks allegedly made during an APC campaign rally in Ilesa. A viral video circulating on social media captured the senator speaking in Yoruba, where he was accused of directing APC supporters to “kill” members of the Accord Party during the governorship election.
In a letter dated August 11, 2026, signed by Commissioner of Police (Elections), Samuel Etaifo Erale, the senator was invited to appear before the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Osogbo on August 12. The police noted that his statements were considered “threatening, inciting and intimidating,” with potential to undermine public peace and electoral integrity.
Following public backlash, Fadahunsi’s team issued a clarification titled “Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence.” They argued that the senator’s words were metaphorical, urging APC supporters to defeat the Accord Party at the ballot box rather than through physical confrontation.
The controversy has heightened tensions ahead of the August 15 governorship election, where incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, contesting under the Accord Party, faces strong opposition. Adeleke has previously accused the APC of deploying thugs against his supporters, allegations the party denies.
Reacting to the development, Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), urged Senator Fadahunsi to retract the remarks and apologise. Obi stressed that lawmakers carry a constitutional duty to promote peace and uphold democratic norms, warning that inflammatory rhetoric could frighten voters and trigger electoral violence.
Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju also condemned the alleged remarks, petitioning the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada to impose sanctions, including visa restrictions, on the senator. Adeyanju argued that such rhetoric amounted to incitement and called on all candidates to denounce threats of violence in the electoral process.
