Adeleke Demands Probe of Fadahunsi Over "Kill Them" Remarks

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has urged security authorities to arrest and prosecute Senator Francis Fadahunsi over remarks in a viral video that the governor described as an incitement to violence against members of the Accord Party.

Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District, reportedly made the comments while speaking to supporters in Ilesa ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Adeleke, speaking at a press briefing in Osogbo on Tuesday, said the senator’s remarks were too serious to be dismissed as ordinary campaign rhetoric. He called on the police and the Department of State Services to investigate the senator and take appropriate action.

According to the governor, he had already brought the video to the attention of the Inspector-General of Police, who he said confirmed its existence and promised immediate action.

“This is now beyond politics. This is now a national security threat that requires the attention of Mr President through the Office of the National Security Adviser,” Adeleke said.

The governor alleged that the comments amounted to an incitement against the people of Ijesaland and Osun State, urging security agencies to intervene before the situation escalates.

Fadahunsi has since rejected the interpretation that he was advocating physical violence. In a statement released by his media office, the senator said his use of the word “kill” was political language and meant that APC supporters should defeat the Accord Party at the polls.

The statement, titled **“Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence, Senator Fadahunsi Tells APC,”** stressed that the senator was calling for a peaceful and overwhelming electoral victory rather than attacks on Accord members.

Meanwhile, Adeleke also raised concerns over the alleged detention of Accord Party leaders in the state.

The governor claimed that a police directive had been issued for the arrest of Accord leaders, with those detained allegedly to be transferred to Abuja and held until after the election. He described such an operation, if confirmed, as unlawful and politically motivated.

Adeleke further alleged that more than 62 Accord leaders were already in police custody without being charged. He also accused the Intelligence Response Team of carrying out what he called unjustified arrests across several local government areas.

“I am appealing to him that this development, if true, is illegal and presents Nigeria as a lawless country,” the governor said, referring to the alleged directive.

He warned that arresting opposition figures shortly before the election could undermine public confidence in the electoral process and create the impression that security agencies were being used to favour one political party.

The governor called on the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies to ensure that all arrests and investigations are conducted within the law and that security personnel remain neutral before, during and after the election.

The controversy has further heightened political tensions in Osun State, with the governorship election only days away and competing allegations of intimidation, political violence and electoral interference dominating the campaign.