…as ‘bloodbath’ comment sparks outcry
By Ime Silas
A demand for the immediate prosecution of Sen. Francis Fadahunsi is intensifying in Osun State after a viral video surfaced showing the lawmaker allegedly calling for violence against supporters of the Accord Party ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election.
Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, in a statement released on Wednesday, described the Senator’s remarks as “highly unfortunate, condemnable, reckless and irresponsible,” and accused the Nigeria Police Force of taking sides after the Osun State Police Command questioned and later released the lawmaker.
Senator Fadahunsi represents Osun East Senatorial District. In the clip circulating on social media, the Senator is heard making statements that Effiong said amounted to a call for the killing of Accord Party members during the election. The timing of the comment has further heightened tensions in a state already bracing for a tightly contested poll.
“The Senator’s incendiary statement has heightened the already tense political atmosphere in the state, which may lead to a breakdown of law and order and negatively affect voter turnout in the forthcoming election,” Effiong said.
According to the statement, the lawmaker later attempted to clarify his comments, saying he meant “killing the Accord Party members through votes.”
Effiong dismissed the explanation as “pedestrian, childish and feeble,” arguing that such language from an elected official could be misinterpreted on the ground and used to justify real violence.
The lawyer warned that the remark goes beyond partisan rhetoric. He said it is “capable of negatively affecting the integrity of the electoral process, inciting supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against supporters of the Accord Party and other political parties, and also scaring voters away from exercising their constitutional and civic rights to elect candidates of their choice.”
Effiong noted that the Criminal Investigation Department of the Osun State Police Command had invited Senator Fadahunsi for questioning. However, the Senator was subsequently released without being charged. To Effiong, that outcome suggests bias.
“This shows that the Osun State Police Command has already taken sides and appears unwilling to take further action against the Senator,” he alleged.
In light of that, Effiong is calling on the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to order the Senator’s arraignment before a court of competent jurisdiction. He argued that prosecution would send a clear signal that the police are committed to securing the electoral process in Osun and ensuring a free and fair election.
The lawyer also pointed to what he called a double standard in police conduct. He referenced the reported arrest of Accord Party members who were allegedly ferried to Abuja over “yet-to-be-substantiated allegations of violence.”
“The prosecution of the Senator will equally demonstrate to Nigerians that he is non-partisan and impartial, having arrested members of the Accord Party and ferried them to Abuja on yet-to-be-substantiated allegations of violence,” Effiong stressed.
He cautioned that failure to act against the Senator could have far-reaching consequences for democracy in the state.
“Failure to prosecute Senator Fadahunsi in accordance with the law will be interpreted by well-meaning Nigerians as an official endorsement of anarchy and a dangerous signal that certain individuals are above the law,” he warned.
Effiong added that inaction by authorities “will not only undermine public confidence in the impartiality and integrity of the Nigeria Police Force, but may also embolden political actors and their supporters to resort to threats, intimidation and violence as tools of political engagement.”
As of press time, the Nigeria Police Force and Senator Fadahunsi’s office had not issued a formal response to the latest call for prosecution.
With voting set for Saturday, civil society groups in Osun have also urged security agencies to enforce the Electoral Act strictly and to ensure that political leaders moderate their language to prevent post-election violence.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has reiterated its commitment to a peaceful poll, but observers say the tone set by political leaders in the final days will be critical to voter confidence.
