Osun:Senator Fadahunsi Appears Before Police Over "Kill Them" Remarks

Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, has appeared before the Osun State Police Command in Osogbo following an invitation over a viral video in which he was allegedly heard calling on his supporters to “kill” members of the Accord Party.

Fadahunsi arrived at the police headquarters at about 2:35 p.m. on Wednesday, accompanied by the Commissioner of Police in charge of elections and security, Samuel Etaifo Erale.

The senator’s appearance came amid growing concerns over alleged inflammatory statements ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.

The police had invited Fadahunsi to clarify remarks he allegedly made during an All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign programme in Ilesa on Tuesday. In an invitation letter dated August 11, the police said the statements were considered threatening, intimidating and potentially inciting.

The letter directed the senator to report to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Osogbo at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday to explain the circumstances surrounding the comments.

The controversy followed the circulation of a video in which Fadahunsi was allegedly heard using the words “kill them” while addressing APC supporters. The remarks triggered reactions from political leaders and civil society organisations, with concerns that they could heighten tensions ahead of the election.

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke subsequently accused the senator of inciting violence and genocide against members of the Accord Party, whose governorship candidate is the incumbent governor. Adeleke called for a thorough investigation and demanded the immediate arrest of the lawmaker, describing the alleged comments as a national security concern.

Fadahunsi, however, rejected the allegations, insisting that his remarks had been taken out of context.

According to the senator, the video was deliberately edited to distort what he actually said. He explained that he was referring to alleged attacks and killings of APC members by suspected thugs in Ilesa and other parts of the state.

Fadahunsi said his warning was that the APC would defend its members if the alleged attacks continued, insisting that he was not calling for the killing of Accord Party members.

The police, meanwhile, said the senator's position as a member of the National Assembly does not prevent authorities from questioning him.

Speaking on Channels Television's *The Morning Brief*, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the invitation was necessary because of the seriousness of the video.

Ojelabi said the police wanted Fadahunsi to personally explain what he meant by the statement attributed to him rather than relying on interpretations of the video.

He added that the police had previously warned politicians and members of the public against making statements capable of encouraging violence.

The controversy has also attracted the attention of Amnesty International. The organisation called on the authorities to hold Fadahunsi accountable over what it described as an alleged instruction to supporters to kill members of the Accord Party ahead of the election.

Amnesty International also urged authorities to condemn statements that could encourage violence, warning against anything that could contribute to a bloody election in Osun State.

With the senator now before the police, attention is expected to focus on the outcome of the investigation and whether the authorities will take further action over the disputed remarks.