Segun Atanda/
The Osun State Police Command has commenced a probe into Senator Francis Fadahunsi over a viral video in which the lawmaker was heard directing supporters to kill members of the Accord Party ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, was invited by the police on Wednesday to explain the remarks, which have triggered condemnation from political leaders, rights groups and other stakeholders amid heightened tension ahead of the poll.
In the video, Fadahunsi was heard saying: “Anywhere you see Accord members, kill them. I authorise you to kill them.”
The remark has generated widespread concern because of its explicit reference to killing members of an opposing political party only days before voters are due to elect the next governor of Osun State.
Fadahunsi subsequently attempted to clarify the statement, saying he was referring to defeating the Accord Party politically and not physically attacking its members.
He said his use of the word “kill” was metaphorical and meant that supporters of his party should defeat Accord at the ballot box.
The explanation, however, has not ended the controversy.
The police had summoned the senator after the video circulated widely, with the Commissioner of Police in charge of election security in Osun, Samuel Etaifo, saying the invitation was intended to establish the context of the statement and prevent any possible escalation ahead of the election.
Fadahunsi honoured the invitation and arrived at the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo on Wednesday afternoon for questioning.
The development has nevertheless escalated beyond the police invitation.
The National Human Rights Commission has called for Fadahunsi’s immediate suspension and arrest, describing the remarks as incitement to murder, electoral violence and voter intimidation.
The commission said political affiliation could not be used as a basis for threatening the lives of citizens and urged the appropriate authorities to act.
The NHRC also called on the National Assembly to suspend the senator pending investigation into the allegation.
The commission’s intervention adds a human-rights dimension to an already volatile political controversy, particularly because the statement was allegedly made in the context of an election campaign.
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has also called for Fadahunsi’s arrest and prosecution.
Adeleke made the demand after the video emerged, urging the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, to take action over what he described as an alleged threat against Accord Party members.
The Accord Party has equally demanded action against the senator, while political tensions have continued to rise in parts of the state ahead of the election.
The controversy comes against the backdrop of reports of political violence in Osun during the build-up to Saturday’s poll.
Fadahunsi himself has recently raised allegations of killings involving political supporters in Ilesa, while other reports have documented attacks and deaths involving political actors in the state.
The Osun governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, with the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, seeking another term and the All Progressives Congress fielding Bola Oyebamiji as its candidate.
The election is expected to attract considerable attention because of the political importance of Osun and the intensity of the contest.
0
