OSOGBO — Wednesday
Civil Society Organisations have condemned Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, over a viral video in which he allegedly threatened to attack members of the Accord Party ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
In the video recorded in Ilesha and delivered in Yoruba, the senator was heard warning his supporters against Accord Party activities in the area.
“If we hear of Accord Party in Ilesha, there will be trouble. We will all come out and vote. Please record me. We are here, and between now and the election, if we see anyone from the Accord Party, we will kill them,” he said.
Senator Issues Clarification
In a statement by his media office, Fadahunsi later clarified the comment, saying it was “a call on supporters to overwhelmingly reject the Accord Party at the ballot box through lawful, peaceful and democratic means during the August 15 governorship election.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Senator’s statement was purely political and metaphorical. At no point did Senator Fadahunsi advocate violence, intimidation or any form of physical attack against members or supporters of the Accord Party or any other political party,” the statement added.
CISLAC Condemns Comment
The Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, described the remark as “condemnable” and warned that such statements could heighten tension and suppress voter turnout.
CISLAC Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, told Daily Trust that electoral violence must not be treated lightly.
“First and foremost, we, CISLAC, condemn in totality electoral violence. Electoral violence is not something that should be taken lightly because it has incredible damage to our electoral process,” he said.
Rafsanjani said Nigeria cannot achieve credible elections if politicians continue to deploy threats, intimidation and coercion.
“The use of threats, physical force, either intimidation, disruption, harassment, or other form of coercion to influence electoral process in Nigeria is condemned by CISLAC,” he stated.
He also warned political supporters, security personnel and other actors that they must be held accountable.
“We cannot, in the pretense of winning political power, engage in political thuggery,” he said, adding that attacks on rallies, INEC offices and political activists must not be tolerated.
Rafsanjani further noted that the senator’s comment could create fear and affect participation in Saturday’s poll.
“The election will be done under intense fear. And that’s not how election should be,” he added.
Election Monitors Call For Arrest
A coalition of CSOs monitoring the August 15, 2026 Osun governorship election also called on INEC and security agencies to arrest and prosecute the senator.
Olasupo Abideen Opeyemi, Chairman of the Ballot Eyes Working Group, described the comment as “reckless” and a “national embarrassment.”
He said the group had, just a day earlier, held a stakeholder engagement in Osun on preventing electoral violence, especially against women and vulnerable groups.
“We are campaigning under the ‘Vote Not Fight’ initiative. Against that background, this statement is particularly troubling given the proximity of the election and the tense political atmosphere in the state,” he said.
The group urged INEC and the Nigeria Police Force to act immediately to safeguard public safety.
Adeleke Campaign Council Seeks Police Probe
The campaign council of Governor Ademola Adeleke also asked the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to investigate the video.
Spokesperson Pelumi Olajengbesi said:
“This is a serious threat to lives and the peaceful conduct of the August 15 election. Mr Inspector-General of Police, this must be addressed immediately. Nobody has the right to kill an Accord member or any citizen. Nobody has the right to stop Osun people from voting. Enough is enough!”
Senator Fadahunsi was elected on the platform of the PDP and currently represents Osun East in the National Assembly as a member of the APC.
