Osun guber: NHRC calls for suspension, arrest of Senator Fadahunsi

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.

The Commission also directed all party chairmen to instruct their members to desist from making hateful, inciting, intimidating or violence-inducing statements ahead of the forthcoming Osun governorship election.

A statement by the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu, SAN, on Wednesday, said, “Any candidates or party faithful who violate these directives should be called out for violating constitutional and electoral frameworks for peaceful elections and should be surrendered to law enforcement authorities for prosecution.”

Senator Fadahunsi is alleged to have instructed supporters to kill members of the Accord Party ahead of Saturday’s Osun governorship election.

ALSO READ: Osun 2026: How the parties stand in a three horse race battle

In the video circulated online, the person identified as 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 NHRC boss described the remarks as incitement to murder, electoral violence and voter intimidation, adding that no well-meaning Nigerian should sit by and allow such rhetoric to be tolerated without consequences from law enforcement authorities.

“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 a 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 come days before the August 15 Osun governorship election.

The NHRC said, 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 authorities to immediately suspend Senator Fadahunsi from all Senate duties pending investigation.

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