OsunDecides: NHRC Calls on Security Agencies to Arrest Fadahunsi, Prevent Bloodshed

OsunDecides: NHRC Calls on Security Agencies to Arrest Fadahunsi, Prevent Bloodshed

By Raphael Ekpang

Abuja (Core Reporters) — Living up to its mandate of protecting citizens from human rights abuses, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), taking into consideration the level of violations associated with electoral processes, has called for the immediate suspension and arrest of Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District in the 10th Senate, over a viral video.

Senator Fadahunsi is alleged to have instructed his supporters to kill members of the Accord Party, the party of the incumbent Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election. The alleged statement, if verified, contradicts the mandate of the Commission and Nigeria’s constitutional and electoral framework.

The Commission also directed all political party chairmen to instruct their members to desist from making hateful, inciting, intimidating, or violence-related statements ahead of the forthcoming elections.

It said any candidate or party faithful who violates these directives should be called out for breaching constitutional and electoral provisions for peaceful elections and handed over to law enforcement authorities for prosecution.

In the video circulated online, the person identified as Senator Fadahunsi 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 NHRC Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu (SAN) described the alleged remarks as incitement to murder, electoral violence, and voter intimidation, saying no well-meaning Nigerian should sit by and 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.

“The Senate leadership is hereby called upon to suspend Senator Fadahunsi immediately, pending conclusive investigation by the police.

“The Police and DSS must also arrest, investigate, and prosecute him now. 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.”

The alleged remarks came days before the August 15 Osun State governorship election.

The NHRC said that, given the gravity of the statements attributed to the Senator in the video, the matter requires urgent investigation by security agencies in accordance with due process.

The Commission called on the relevant authorities to immediately suspend Senator Fadahunsi from all Senate duties pending investigation.

It also urged the people of Osun State to remain peaceful and report any threats to the Commission and relevant authorities, noting that it has established a situation room to receive reports and document incidents during the election period.

However, Core Reporters understands that Senator Fadahunsi belongs to the same political party as the leadership of the Senate, a situation that could make his suspension politically difficult.