Fadahunsi Arrives Police CID Over Alleged Inciting Remarks Ahead Osun Poll

Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, has arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Osun State Police Command in Osogbo for questioning over alleged inflammatory remarks ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

Fadahunsi was invited by the Commissioner of Police in charge of election security, Samuel Erale Etaifo, following a viral video in which the senator was allegedly heard threatening members and supporters of the Accord Party in Ilesa.

The controversy began after a video circulated on social media showing Fadahunsi speaking in Yoruba during a gathering at the palace of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland in Ilesa on Tuesday.

The senator was reportedly addressing a gathering organised following the alleged killing of three APC members in Ilesa when he made comments interpreted as a threat against Accord Party members ahead of the August 15 election.

The remarks triggered widespread condemnation amid heightened concerns over political violence in the state.

Fadahunsi has since denied inciting violence, saying his reference to “killing” political opponents was intended as a metaphor for defeating them at the polls.

The Osun State Police Command subsequently summoned Fadahunsi to explain the circumstances surrounding the remarks.

The Force’s action followed calls for an investigation into the video as political parties and civil society groups raised concerns about inflammatory rhetoric ahead of the election.

The senator arrived at the police headquarters on Wednesday and proceeded to the CID, where he is expected to respond to questions from investigators.

Governor Ademola Adeleke had condemned the alleged remarks and called for Fadahunsi’s arrest and prosecution.

Adeleke said the comments went beyond ordinary political rhetoric and could create conditions for widespread violence ahead of the election.

The governor also said he had raised the matter with Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu and requested immediate action.

The Adeleke campaign council separately urged the police to investigate the senator’s comments and take appropriate action.

Former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of the NDC, Peter Obi, also condemned the remarks attributed to Fadahunsi.

Obi described the alleged call to attack political opponents as unacceptable and urged political actors to avoid statements capable of encouraging violence during elections.

The controversy also drew the attention of singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, who has been closely associated with Osun politics and is nephew to Governor Adeleke.

Davido has publicly expressed concern about the conduct of the election and called for greater attention to the security situation surrounding the poll.

His intervention has added to the growing public discussion about the need for a peaceful election in Osun.

The incident comes against the backdrop of heightened political tension ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, with security agencies and civil society organisations warning against inflammatory statements, intimidation and violence.

The investigation is expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the video and whether the senator’s remarks constitute an offence under applicable Nigerian law.

With the election only days away, political parties and candidates have been urged to moderate their rhetoric and allow voters to exercise their franchise peacefully and without intimidation.