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NHRC seeks arrest, suspension of Osun senator over death threat

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2 weeks ago

August 13, 2026

Faith Okoye

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Despite the lawmaker’s recant that he was misunderstood, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Wednesday called for the suspension and arrest of the senator representing Osun East, Francis Fadahunsi, for issuing death threats to members of the Accord Party found in Ilesa ahead of Saturday’s Osun state governorship election.

“The Senate leadership is hereby called upon to suspend Senator Fadahunsi immediately pending conclusive investigation by the police,” the executive secretary, Tony Ojukwu, said in a statement.

“The Police and DSS must also arrest, investigate, and prosecute him now. We cannot wait until blood is spilt in Osun before we act. Prevention is the duty of the state, and the leadership of the NASS is part of the state,” he stated.

On Tuesday, Mr Fadahunsi, speaking in the Yoruba language, threatened members of the Accord Party in a viral video.

Addressing supporters at the palace of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, the All Progressives Congress (APC) senator condemned the alleged persistent killings of APC members in the area. He attributed the killings to members of the Accord Party.

Fadahunsi said, “The cap they wear – it is a Yellow Fever cap, it is the cap of an animal,” referring to the Accord Party’s yellow brand.

He continued, “It is an animal that kills. Have you ever heard that APC killed anyone? Are those being killed not your people?

“So, we have come to tell you, up till the day of the election, if we see them, it is killing.”

The NHRC also referred to other remarks attributed to the senator.

“From now on, whenever you see Accord members, kill them. I authorise you to kill them. They have wives and children too. This is a federal government election. On election day, even if they come with voter cards, we won’t allow them to vote,” Fadahunsi was quoted as saying.

However, Fadahunsi subsequently walked back his statement, saying he did not literally call for the killing of the rival Accord Party members.

He said he rather made a call to “supporters to overwhelmingly reject the Accord Party at the ballot box through lawful, peaceful and democratic means during the August 15 governorship election.”

But the NHRC insisted Wednesday that the senator’s controversial remarks were an incitement to murder, electoral violence and voter intimidation. (Premium Times)