Senator Francis Fadahunsi has arrived at the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo for questioning over alleged inciting comments.
Fadahunsi arrived at approximately 2:35 p.m. on Wednesday, escorted by Samuel Erale, the commissioner of police in charge of election and security, according to Channels TV.
The senator was summoned by police after allegedly making disparaging remarks about members of the Accord Party in Ilesa.
The police have previously advised political actors against making incendiary statements that could heighten tensions ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
In a phone conversation with The PUNCH on Wednesday, the command’s spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, revealed that the legislator had been summoned by the commissioner of police in charge of the election, Samuel Etaifo.
Ojelabi said, “I can confirm that he (Fadahunsi) has been summoned by the CP. We will make a statement available regarding it.”
In a video shared on social media on Tuesday, Fadahunsi, who spoke in Yoruba, stated that any Accord member seen in Ilesha, Osun State, before Saturday’s poll will be killed.
According to sources at the scene, Fadahunsi delivered the controversial remark at the palace of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland in Ilesa during a demonstration over the alleged murder of three All Progressives Congress members in Ilesa on Tuesday.
Fadahunsi said, “How many people have you seen the APC kill? We are here to tell you that until the day of the election, if we see any Accord member in Ilesa, we will kill them.”
In another viral video discovered on Tuesday, Eniade, who was also addressing a campaign gathering, stated that no Accord member should vote in the Odo Otin Local Government Area on election day.
Eniade, who also spoke in Yoruba, added, “I was only waiting for today before I talked. I swear to God, anyone who is not an APC member should not come out on election day. If you said you wouldn’t listen to us, we have warned you ahead. All the votes in Odo-Otin belong to the APC.
“Tell Egbedun (Osun House of Assembly Speaker) that I don’t have his time. I am his elder brother. The Accord Party can’t vote in Odo-Otin. I am the one who said so. To the APC members, go back to your ward and unit and tell them that anybody who is not an APC member should not come out to vote.”
In response to Fadahunsi’s warning, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, speaking to press in Osogbo, urged the lawmaker’s arrest, claiming that his words could lead to mass death.
The governor stated that he raised the issue with the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and later ordered Fadahunsi’s inquiry and arrest, adding that the IGP verified the existence of the video and assured him of prompt action.
“The second issue has to do with the viral video of a serving senator, Francis Fadahunsi, who today called for the killing of Accord Party leaders, supporters, and their families. In the video, the senator even threatened that where they cannot get Accord Party leaders, they should kill their wives and children.
“This is now beyond politics. This is now a national security threat that requires the attention of Mr. President through the Office of the National Security Adviser,” the governor said.
