Police invite Osun APC senator over alleged ‘kill’ threat to Accord members

The Osun State Police Command has summoned Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, over a viral video in which he appeared to threaten members of the Accord Party ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

Fadahunsi reportedly made the controversial remarks while addressing APC supporters during a protest at the palace of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland in Ilesa over alleged killings of members of his party and residents in the area.

In the video circulated on social media, the senator criticised the Accord Party’s yellow-coloured branding before telling APC supporters that they should kill members of the rival party if they encountered them before the election. The remarks have triggered concerns over the possibility of political violence ahead of the August 15 poll.

Police summon Fadahunsi over controversial remarks

The police directed the senator to appear before the State Criminal Investigation Department in Osogbo at 11 a.m. on Wednesday to explain the circumstances surrounding his comments.

The invitation, dated August 11 and signed by Samuel Erale Etaifo, the Commissioner of Police overseeing security for the Osun election, said the senator was required to clarify remarks considered potentially threatening, inciting and intimidating.

The police also noted that the video had circulated across various electronic and social media platforms, increasing concerns over its possible effect on the security situation ahead of the election.

The invitation followed reports of heightened tension in Ilesa and other parts of Osun State, including a shooting in the Imo area of Ilesa in which three people were reportedly killed.

Senator says comment was metaphorical

Fadahunsi later denied that he intended to encourage physical attacks on Accord Party members, explaining during a Channels Television programme that his statement was political and metaphorical.

The senator said he was asking APC supporters to defeat the Accord Party at the polls rather than physically attack its members.

He argued that the original statement, which was made in Yoruba, had been misunderstood when translated into English.

“If you listen to me very well, I didn’t say it in English, so you cannot interpret it in English,” Fadahunsi said, explaining that his intention was to tell supporters to “shut them down with their votes.”

Fadahunsi links remarks to alleged killings

The senator said his comments were made against the backdrop of violence allegedly affecting his community and political supporters.

He claimed that more than 11 people had been killed and several others injured between Monday night and Tuesday, alleging that those affected were members of his community, party and constituency.

Fadahunsi also complained about the handling of suspects arrested over the alleged incidents, claiming that some of them were released on bail despite the seriousness of the allegations.

He said the situation prompted him to lead residents to the palace of the Owa Obokun to protest what he described as worsening insecurity in Ijesaland.

“I had to lead my people to the palace. I cannot sit down while the governor is terrorising my community,” he said.

Media office clarifies senator’s position

The senator’s media office later issued a statement saying his remarks should be understood as a call for APC supporters to defeat Accord through peaceful and lawful democratic means.

According to the statement, Fadahunsi was urging voters to reject the Accord Party overwhelmingly at the ballot box during the August 15 governorship election.

The police invitation comes as Osun prepares for a closely contested governorship election amid reports of political tension, shootings and clashes involving supporters of rival parties.

The development has further heightened attention on security arrangements for Saturday’s poll, particularly in Ilesa and adjoining communities where concerns over political violence have increased in recent days.