By Peter Omopo
Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, has arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department of the Osun State Police Command in Osogbo for questioning over alleged inflammatory remarks ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
Fadahunsi was invited by the Commissioner of Police in charge of election security, Samuel Erale Etaifo, following the circulation of a video in which the senator was allegedly heard making threatening comments about members and supporters of the Accord Party in Ilesa.
The controversy followed a video shared on social media showing Fadahunsi speaking in Yoruba during a gathering at the palace of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland in Ilesa on Tuesday.
The senator was reportedly addressing the gathering, which was held following the alleged killing of three All Progressives Congress members in the town, when he made remarks that were interpreted as a threat against Accord Party members ahead of the August 15 election.
The comments sparked widespread condemnation and heightened concerns over the possibility of political violence as the state prepares for the governorship poll.
Fadahunsi has, however, denied any intention to incite violence, explaining that his reference to “killing” political opponents was metaphorical and meant defeating them through votes at the election.
Following the controversy, the Osun State Police Command summoned the senator to clarify the circumstances surrounding the remarks.
Fadahunsi arrived at the police headquarters on Wednesday and proceeded to the CID, where he is expected to answer questions from investigators.
Governor Ademola Adeleke had earlier condemned the alleged remarks and called for Fadahunsi’s arrest and prosecution, describing the comments as capable of triggering widespread violence.
Adeleke also disclosed that he had raised the matter with the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and requested immediate intervention.
The governor’s campaign council similarly called on the police to investigate the senator’s comments and take appropriate action based on the outcome of the investigation.
Former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, also condemned the remarks attributed to Fadahunsi, urging political actors to avoid statements that could encourage violence during the electoral process.
The controversy has also attracted the attention of Nigerian singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, who has remained vocal about developments surrounding the Osun election and has expressed concerns over the security situation ahead of the poll.
The incident comes amid heightened political tension across Osun State, with security agencies, political parties and civil society organisations urging stakeholders to avoid inflammatory rhetoric, intimidation and violence.
The police investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the video and determine whether Fadahunsi’s remarks constitute an offence under Nigerian law.
With the election only days away, stakeholders have continued to call on political parties and candidates to moderate their rhetoric and ensure that voters are allowed to exercise their franchise peacefully and without intimidation.
