The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for the immediate suspension and arrest of Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, over alleged inflammatory comments contained in a viral video ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
The Commission said the remarks, in which the senator was allegedly heard directing supporters to kill members of the Accord Party, amounted to incitement to murder, electoral violence and voter intimidation.
Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu, urged the Senate leadership to suspend Fadahunsi from all legislative duties pending investigation by the relevant security agencies.
“This is not politics. This is a licence to kill. A public officer who tells citizens to murder other citizens because of party affiliation must not be allowed to remain in office for one more day,” Ojukwu said.
According to the NHRC, the person identified as the senator was translated in the video as saying: “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.”
The Commission called on the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately arrest, investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute the senator in accordance with the law.
“The Senate leadership is hereby called upon to suspend Senator Fadahunsi immediately pending conclusive investigation by the police.
“The Police and DSS must also arrest, investigate, and prosecute him now. We cannot wait until blood is spilled in Osun before we act. Prevention is the duty of the state and the leadership of the NASS is part of the state,” Ojukwu said.
The NHRC also directed chairmen of all political parties to instruct their members to desist from hateful, inciting, intimidating and violent statements ahead of the forthcoming elections.
It warned that candidates and party supporters who violate such directives should be publicly called out for breaching constitutional and electoral frameworks governing peaceful elections and referred to law enforcement authorities for prosecution.
The Commission said the alleged remarks attributed to Fadahunsi require urgent investigation by security agencies, while stressing that due process must be followed in determining the facts of the case.
It further appealed to residents of Osun State to remain peaceful and report threats or incidents of electoral violence to the NHRC and relevant authorities.
The Commission disclosed that it has established a situation room to receive, document and respond to reports of human rights violations and other incidents during the election period.
