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By Philip Nwosu
Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd) has called for the arrest and prosecution of politicians and other individuals, who make statements capable of inciting violence.
Irabor made the call yesterday while speaking on Channels Television, against the backdrop of controversy surrounding a viral video in which Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East, was alleged to have called on his supporters to kill members of the Accord Party ahead of the Osun State governorship election.
The former defence chief said individuals, who make inflammatory statements should be promptly invited, and where necessary, arrested and made to face the law.
“For me as a person, any time we hear individuals making inciting comments, I think that such people should be picked up immediately,” Irabor said.
He commended the police for inviting Fadahunsi over the alleged comments, saying the senator’s statement went beyond ordinary political rhetoric and bordered on incitement to violence.
“That is why I am glad that even though the statement made by Senator Fadahunsi is a political one, I think that it also borders on incitement to violence,” he said.
Irabor urged the authorities to go beyond merely inviting the senator for questioning, stressing the need for a thorough investigation and appropriate action where wrongdoing is established.
“I think the police have done the right thing by inviting him, and he should be questioned even beyond that,” he added.
The retired general also called for the authorities to investigate Islamic clerics, Sani Jingir and Ahmad Gumi over comments he described as potentially inflammatory.
His call came shortly after Jingir publicly defended his advocacy for a Muslim-Muslim political ticket, saying he had no regrets over his remarks and would not apologise for them.
Irabor said comments such as those attributed to Jingir could contribute to the threats facing the country if left unchecked.
“Added to that is, of course, the Sheikh in Kano, Sheikh Jingir, who also made some comments which, of course, I believe are also inciting, that could also add to the bouquet of threats that we have,” he said.
The former CDS further called for action against Gumi over what he described as a pattern of comments that should attract the attention of law enforcement authorities.
He said Gumi should be “called not just to order” but also invited and, where appropriate, arrested to demonstrate that no individual is above the law.
Irabor stressed the importance of holding public figures and other influential individuals accountable for statements capable of threatening public peace and security.
He said decisive action against inflammatory rhetoric would send a message that Nigerians, regardless of their status or political and religious affiliations, must be prepared to answer for statements that violate the law.
His comments come amid heightened political activity ahead of the Osun governorship election and renewed public debate over the role of political and religious rhetoric in Nigeria’s security environment.
