Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The political temperature in Osun State has reached a boiling point just days before the governorship election, as the campaign spokesman for Governor Ademola Adeleke has threatened to slap Senator Francis Fadahunsi with a ₦10 billion defamation suit over comments the lawmaker made during live television interviews. Pelumi Olajengbesi, a lawyer and the Accord Party candidate for the Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, through his legal team at Law Corridor, issued a formal letter of demand on August 12, 2026, giving the senator 24 hours to retract the statements and tender an unreserved public apology or face legal action for defamation and injurious falsehood.
The dispute centres on two separate television appearances by Senator Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District. In a live interview on Viable TV on July 2, 2026, Fadahunsi allegedly questioned Olajengbesi's origin, stating that the governor's spokesman was "not even from the same Ijebu-Jesha" and was "from somewhere in Ogun State." More gravely, the senator accused Olajengbesi of "using thugs, Eiye and Aye," directly linking him to notorious cult groups. The allegations were subsequently reproduced and widely disseminated across Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp, X, Instagram and other social media platforms.
The situation escalated on August 11, 2026, when Fadahunsi appeared on Channels Television's Politics Today programme. While commenting on the late Ajayi Aderogba, also known as Rogba, the senator reportedly stated: "Rogba is an Eiye man sponsored by Barr. Olajengbesi terrorising the whole … my own territory up and down through all these Eiye and Aye." Olajengbesi's lawyers argued that these statements "directly questioned our Client's identity and origin as a son of Ijebu-Jesa and, more gravely, imputed that he sponsors, associates with and/or deploys thugs and members of the Eiye and Aye cult groups in furtherance of his political activities."
In the letter, signed by Hammed Lasisi, Esq., Associate Partner at Law Corridor, Olajengbesi emphatically denied the allegations, describing them as "false, defamatory and gravely injurious to his personal, professional and political reputation." The lawyers stressed that "the allegation of sponsoring cultists and persons engaged in acts of terror is particularly serious, as it imputes criminality and conduct wholly incompatible with our Client's standing as a legal practitioner, public figure and candidate for elective office." Olajengbesi maintained that he has never sponsored, financed, supported, patronised or otherwise provided resources to any cult group or its members for criminal, political or other unlawful activities, nor has he authorised any person to terrorise or attack members of the public on his behalf.
The letter demanded an immediate retraction of the statements through the same media and platforms through which they were published, along with an unequivocal and unreserved public apology through appropriate national and social media channels. Olajengbesi's lawyer warned that failure to comply within 24 hours would compel them to approach the court to seek ₦10 billion in general and aggravated damages for alleged defamation and injurious falsehood.
The defamation threat comes against the backdrop of an escalating political crisis in Osun State. The governor had earlier demanded the immediate arrest and investigation of Senator Fadahunsi over a viral video in which the lawmaker was allegedly heard calling for the killing of Accord Party leaders and members. The video, which surfaced on August 11, showed Fadahunsi addressing APC supporters in Ilesa and allegedly directing them to "kill" any Accord Party member seen in Ijesaland. The senator later debunked the allegations, insisting that his comments were metaphorical and meant to encourage supporters to defeat the Accord Party at the ballot box.
With the Osun State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, the political atmosphere has become increasingly tense. The police have summoned Senator Fadahunsi over the viral video, describing it as a "source of serious concern." Governor Adeleke has accused the senator of inciting violence and "genocide" against members of the Accord Party, calling for his arrest and prosecution. The defamation threat against Olajengbesi adds another layer of legal and political complexity to an already volatile electoral contest, as both parties trade accusations and prepare for a high-stakes showdown at the polls.
As of the time of filing this report, Senator Fadahunsi had not publicly responded to the defamation threat. The 24-hour ultimatum issued by Olajengbesi's legal team places the senator in a difficult position just days before the election. A retraction and apology could be seen as an admission of wrongdoing, while ignoring the demand could trigger a costly legal battle. The ₦10 billion defamation suit, if filed, would be one of the largest such claims in Nigeria's political history, and it would further deepen the political crisis in Osun State. For now, the people of Osun can only watch as their leaders prepare for a legal and political showdown that could shape the future of the state for years to come.
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