The Osun State Police Command summoned Francis Fadahunsi, the senator representing Osun East, after a video showed him making remarks against members of the Accord Party. The invitation came days before the state governorship election.
Police spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi confirmed the action on Wednesday. He stated that the commissioner of police in charge of the election, Samuel Etaifo, had summoned the lawmaker. “I can confirm that he has been summoned by the CP. We will make a statement available regarding it,” Ojelabi said.
In a letter dated August 11, Samuel Etaifo Erale directed Fadahunsi to report to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Osogbo at 11 a.m. on August 12.
The letter noted that the invitation rested on information alleging that Fadahunsi made statements considered threatening, inciting and intimidating during an address in Ilesa. Those statements had already circulated on electronic and social media platforms.
The video emerged from a gathering at the palace of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland in Ilesa on Tuesday. Organisers held the event to protest the alleged killing of three All Progressives Congress members.
Speaking in Yoruba, Fadahunsi said, “How many people have you seen the APC kill? We are here to tell you that until the day of the election, if we see any Accord member in Ilesa, we will kill them.”
Meanwhile, Ademola Adeleke, the Osun State governor, demanded the immediate arrest and investigation of Fadahunsi. Adeleke told journalists that he had spoken with Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu.
He described the remarks as a national security threat. “The second issue has to do with the viral video of a serving Senator, Francis Fadahunsi, who today called for the killing of Accord Party leaders, supporters and their families,” Adeleke said.
Fadahunsi later issued a statement through his media office. He maintained that the remarks were metaphorical and referred to defeating the Accord Party at the ballot box.
The statement, titled “Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence,” said the comments called on supporters to reject the party through lawful and peaceful means. Fadahunsi also stated that the video was edited and taken out of context from a longer address.
