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• Ex-vp calls election test of Nigeria’s democracy
• Senator denies inciting violence
From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja, and Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Tension ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election intensified yesterday as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar warned the Federal Government, security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against what he described as the militarisation of the poll, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) demanded a probe of Senator Francis Fadahunsi over alleged inciting comments.
The development came as Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District, was questioned by the Osun State Police Command for about two hours over a viral video in which he was allegedly heard calling on supporters to “kill” members of the Accord Party.
Fadahunsi, however, denied inciting violence, insisting that his comment was taken out of context and that he meant APC supporters should “kill Accord with their votes”.
Speaking at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Youth Leadership Summit, Atiku, the party’s 2027 presidential candidate, described the Osun election as a test of Nigeria’s capacity to conduct credible elections ahead of the 2027 general election.
He expressed concern over the scale of security deployment around the poll, saying it created the impression of preparations for war rather than a democratic exercise.
“Elections are civil engagements, not military operations. Ballot papers are not bullets. Voters are not enemy combatants. Opposition members are not insurgents,” he said.
Atiku questioned why the security capacity being deployed for the election was not similarly available to combat terrorists, kidnappers and bandits responsible for killing and abducting Nigerians.
“Our security forces must protect voters, not frighten them. They must secure the ballot, not create an atmosphere of siege around it,” he said.
He also warned INEC against delays, manipulation and other irregularities, insisting that election materials must arrive on time, accredited voters must be allowed to vote freely and results must be counted and transmitted transparently in accordance with the law.
The former vice president further warned President Bola Tinubu’s administration against using state institutions for partisan purposes.
“President Tinubu and his administration must resist any temptation to turn institutions of the Nigerian state into instruments of partisan advantage. The police belong to Nigeria. The military belongs to Nigeria. INEC belongs to the Nigerian people. None of them belongs to the APC,” he said.
Atiku also questioned what he described as discrepancies reportedly contained in versions of President Tinubu’s certificate submitted to INEC.
He said reports had raised questions over dates allegedly appearing on the documents, including June 22 and June 27, as well as signatures and the description of the degree.
“If you were applying for a job today and submitted a certificate bearing one date, while another version of what purports to be the same certificate carried a different date and different signatures, what do you think your prospective employer would do?” he asked.
Atiku said the same standard of accountability should apply to public officials.
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“I am not asking you to accept my conclusion. I am asking something much simpler: if a young Nigerian would be required to explain such discrepancies before getting an ordinary job, why should the man seeking Nigeria’s highest job be exempt from the same standard?” he said.
He urged youths to register, organise and participate actively in the 2027 electoral process.
PDP demands probe
The Tanimu Turaki-led PDP Interim National Working Committee also demanded an investigation into Fadahunsi’s alleged comments and other reported threats to peace ahead of the election.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the party said the senator’s case should be transparently investigated and appropriate action taken if culpability was established.
The PDP said elections should not be treated as a “do-or-die contest” and accused the APC of using what it described as intimidating rhetoric against citizens and opposition parties.
“To this end, we specifically demand a transparent investigation of the Senator Fadahunsi incident and other threats to peaceful and transparent elections in Osun State,” the party said.
It also urged the Federal Government, APC and political actors to moderate their rhetoric and ensure that the election reflected the free choice of voters.
Police grill Fadahunsi
Fadahunsi was invited by the police following the circulation of the video, which allegedly captured him making the controversial remark during a protest at the palace of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.
The senator arrived at the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo at about 2:25pm and was taken to the Department of Criminal Investigation (CID), where he was questioned by senior officers.
Speaking to journalists after the session, Fadahunsi denied calling for the physical killing of Accord members.
“I came here to honour the police invitation. We have met, and I told them what I actually said, not what was manipulated by mischievous interpreters of the Yoruba language,” he said.
According to him, his statement was that APC supporters would “kill them with our votes”.
Fadahunsi also alleged that more than 40 APC members had been killed in Osun East over the past year and accused the state government of creating a tense security environment in the area.
He nevertheless expressed confidence that APC supporters would turn out massively for the party’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
With rival parties trading allegations and the senator now facing police scrutiny, concerns over violence, voter intimidation and the neutrality of security agencies remain at the centre of the final hours before Saturday’s poll.
