Friday, August 14, 2026 - Amnesty International Nigeria has invited Nigerians to sign an online petition calling for action over comments attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
The organisation made the call on Friday in a series of
posts on its official X account.
Amnesty said the petition was aimed at ensuring that
Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District, faces justice over the
remarks, which it described as inciting violence.
“Online petition to ensure that Sen. Francis Adenigba
Fadahunsi face justice for inciting violence ahead of Osun election is ready!
You can sign here,” Amnesty said.
The human rights organisation also stressed the need to
protect the rights of Osun residents to participate freely in the election.
“The human rights of the people of Osun state must be upheld
and protected. People must be free to vote — without anything or anyone
undermining their right to make political choices,” it said.
Amnesty further called on the Nigeria Police Force and the
Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to investigate the remarks
attributed to Fadahunsi.
“Allegations of incitement to violence ahead of the Osun
election require urgent action. We call for a prompt, impartial and thorough
investigation into the reported remarks attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi
and accountability where the evidence establishes a criminal offence.
“Political differences must never become a justification for
violence,” it added
The development follows a video that circulated on social
media earlier in the week, showing Fadahunsi addressing supporters in Ilesa
ahead of Saturday’s election.
The senator was heard speaking in Yoruba in remarks that
were interpreted as a threat against members of the Accord Party.
Following the backlash, Fadahunsi, through his media office,
clarified that he was referring to defeating the Accord Party with votes and
not physically attacking its members.
In a statement titled “Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not
Violence, Senator Fadahunsi Tells APC,” he described the comment as political
and metaphorical and denied advocating violence or intimidation.
The senator also urged his supporters to maintain peace and
allow voters to freely exercise their rights.
The Osun State Police Command subsequently invited Fadahunsi
to clarify the remarks.
The invitation, dated August 11, directed him to appear
before the State Criminal Investigation Department in Osogbo over statements
the police described as potentially “threatening, inciting and intimidating”.
Fadahunsi honoured the invitation on Wednesday and was
questioned by police for more than two hours before leaving the command.
The police said the invitation was a proactive measure
intended to reduce political tension ahead of the election.
The petition comes as Osun voters prepare to elect their
governor on Saturday, August 15, amid heightened political tensions and
concerns over electoral violence.
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