Amnesty International Nigeria has said it will launch a global campaign against Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, over comments allegedly inciting violence ahead of the August 15, 2026, Osun governorship election.
The Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, saying the organisation would use the senator’s case to demonstrate that inflammatory political rhetoric should not go unchallenged.
Sanusi said Amnesty International, which operates in about 150 countries, would publicise Fadahunsi’s remarks internationally as part of efforts to hold political actors accountable for statements capable of promoting violence.
According to him, the organisation considers the senator’s alleged comments particularly serious because they were made publicly and appeared to encourage attacks on members of a rival political party.
He argued that advocacy of hatred and incitement to violence are offences under both international and Nigerian laws, adding that Amnesty International would continue pushing for accountability where public officials make statements that could threaten peaceful democratic processes.
Sanusi also said citizens must hold political leaders responsible for their actions where state institutions fail to do so.
He said, “Yes, we are going to use him as an example because this is the first time we have had so many other terrible politicians say terrible things ahead of the election. But this one is exceptional. A situation whereby somebody came out on television, on record, saying, “Kill them wherever you find them.”
“I believe that that person does not deserve any peace again because advocacy of hatred is a crime under international law, as well as Nigerian law. Therefore, we are going to use this man as an example to show that the impunity of Nigerian politicians cannot continue, and we cannot tolerate it again. The people have to hold them to account if the government cannot do that.”
The development comes after the Osun State Police Command invited Fadahunsi for questioning over remarks contained in a viral video linked to a political gathering in Ilesa.
In a letter dated August 11, 2026, the police asked the senator to explain the circumstances surrounding statements allegedly made during an APC campaign event.
The invitation, signed by Samuel Etaifo Erale, the Commissioner of Police in charge of elections in Osun State, directed the lawmaker to appear before the State Criminal Investigation Department in Osogbo on August 12.
Police said the invitation followed information alleging that the senator made statements considered threatening, inciting and intimidating, with the video already circulating across electronic and social media platforms.
The controversy erupted after a video shared on X showed Fadahunsi speaking in Yoruba and allegedly urging supporters to attack members of the Accord Party.
However, the senator’s media team rejected the interpretation of the remarks as a call to violence, insisting that he was encouraging supporters to defeat the Accord Party through votes rather than physical confrontation.
In a statement titled “Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence,” the team maintained that the senator’s comments were political and metaphorical, aimed at mobilising supporters to reject the party through lawful and democratic means during the governorship election.
Fadahunsi later returned home after honouring the police invitation and appearing at the police headquarters in Osun.
Source: Tribune Online
