By Peace Udugba
The Daily Torch Media earlier reported extensively on the political tensions surrounding the Osun governorship election, including developments involving the Accord Party and allegations of rising political tension in the state.
The Nigeria Police Force has summoned Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, for questioning over an alleged statement in which he reportedly called on supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to “kill” members of the Accord Party.
Fadahunsi was directed to appear before the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Osogbo at 11am on Wednesday, August 12, following the circulation of a video purportedly showing him making the controversial remarks during an APC campaign rally in Ilesa, Osun State.
The police invitation, dated August 11, was signed by the Commissioner of Police in charge of election duties in Osun State, Samuel Etaifo Erale.
According to the invitation, the senator is expected to explain the circumstances surrounding the statement, which the police described as potentially “threatening, inciting and intimidating.”
The police said the alleged remarks had circulated widely across electronic and social media platforms, raising concerns about their possible impact on the conduct of the August 15 Osun governorship election.
The command stated:
“The invitation is premised on information in possession of the Nigeria Police alleging that during your address at the aforementioned programme, you made statements considered to be threatening, inciting and intimidating in nature, and the statement has already been in circulation on various electronic and social media platforms.”
The development followed the emergence of a video on social media in which Fadahunsi was allegedly heard addressing APC supporters in Yoruba.
In the video, the senator was reportedly heard using the word “kill” while referring to members of the Accord Party and allegedly suggesting that such action had his authorisation.
The statement has generated reactions amid heightened political activity in Osun ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, with concerns that inflammatory comments by political actors could heighten tensions.
However, Fadahunsi’s camp has rejected the interpretation that the senator was advocating physical violence against members of the opposition.
In a statement titled “Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence,” his team explained that the senator’s use of the word “kill” was metaphorical and was intended to encourage APC supporters to defeat the Accord Party at the ballot box.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Senator’s statement was purely political and metaphorical,” the statement said.
The police invitation comes against the backdrop of heightened political tension in Osun State as political parties intensify their campaigns ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The Daily Torch Media had earlier reported on the growing political contest involving the Accord Party and other major political actors in Osun, including developments surrounding the party’s participation in the governorship election.
The newspaper also reported on a court ruling involving the deregistration of Accord and other political parties, highlighting the legal and political controversies surrounding the election.
The senator’s appearance before the SCID is expected to give the police an opportunity to obtain his account of the remarks and establish the circumstances in which they were made.
The development is likely to attract further attention as security agencies step up measures to prevent violence before, during and after the Osun governorship election.
