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The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for the immediate suspension and arrest of Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, over a viral video in which he allegedly urged supporters to kill members of the Accord Party ahead of Saturday’s Osun governorship election.
In the video circulated online, the Senator was translated as saying: “From now on, whenever you see Accord members, kill them. I authorise you to kill them. They have wives and children too. This is a Federal Government election. On election day, even if they come with voter cards, we won’t allow them to vote.”
The Commission’s Executive Secretary and CEO, Tony Ojukwu (SAN), described the remarks as incitement to murder, electoral violence and voter intimidation, insisting no well-meaning Nigerian should allow such rhetoric to go unchallenged.
“This is not politics. This is a licence to kill. A public officer who tells citizens to murder other citizens because of party affiliation must not be allowed to remain in office for one more day,” Ojukwu said.
He called on Senate leadership to suspend Fadahunsi immediately pending a conclusive police investigation, and urged the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest, investigate and prosecute him without delay. “We cannot wait until blood is spilled in Osun before we act. Prevention is the duty of the state, and the leadership of the NASS is part of the state,” he said.
The NHRC said the gravity of the alleged remarks, coming just days before the August 15 Osun governorship election, warrants urgent investigation by security agencies under due process.
Beyond the case against Fadahunsi, the Commission directed all political party chairmen to instruct their members to desist from hateful, inciting, intimidating or violence-inciting statements ahead of upcoming elections, warning that candidates or party faithful who violate this should be publicly called out for breaching constitutional and electoral frameworks and handed over to law enforcement for prosecution.
The Commission also urged residents of Osun State to remain peaceful and report any threats to it or other relevant authorities, noting that it has activated a situation room to receive and document such incidents throughout the election period.
