Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Two Days to the Polls, a Senator in the Dock – Fadahunsi's Police Visit With CP Samuel Erale May Decide If Osun Votes or Fights
Senator Francis Fadahunsi, the lawmaker representing Osun East Senatorial District, arrived at the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, for interrogation over a viral video in which he was heard allegedly urging supporters to "kill" members of the opposition Accord Party. The senator's appearance before the police comes just three days before Saturday's governorship election, adding a dramatic twist to an already tense political contest.
Fadahunsi arrived at the police headquarters at about 2:35 p.m. in the company of the Commissioner of Police in charge of election and security, Samuel Erale. The invitation followed widespread outrage over a video that surfaced on Tuesday, August 11, showing the senator addressing All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters in Ilesa. In the footage, Fadahunsi was heard speaking in Yoruba, allegedly telling his audience that members of the Accord Party should be killed if encountered ahead of the election. The video quickly went viral on social media, triggering condemnation from political observers, civil society groups, and Governor Ademola Adeleke, who demanded the senator's immediate arrest and prosecution.
In a letter dated August 11, 2026, and signed by Commissioner of Police Elections in Osun State, Samuel Etaifo Erale, the police directed Fadahunsi to report to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Osogbo by 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday. The letter stated that the invitation was "premised on information in possession of the Nigeria Police alleging that during your address at the aforementioned programme, you made statements considered to be threatening, inciting and intimidating in nature". The police said the senator was invited to "clarify the circumstances" surrounding the comments.
Fadahunsi has denied any call for violence. In a statement issued by his media office and titled "Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence," the senator insisted that his remarks had been taken out of context. He maintained that his comments were "purely political and metaphorical," intended to encourage APC supporters to defeat the Accord Party through lawful, peaceful and democratic means. Fadahunsi has consistently argued that elections should be decided by votes, not violence.
The controversy has heightened political tensions in Osun State, where the governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, August 15. The election has already been marked by allegations of political violence, police harassment, and intimidation of opposition supporters. The police have deployed over 15,000 officers to the state to ensure a peaceful and credible process, but the Fadahunsi video has raised questions about the neutrality of security agencies and their willingness to hold powerful politicians accountable.
Governor Ademola Adeleke had earlier called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services to arrest Fadahunsi, describing the senator's comments as a "national security concern" that could undermine peaceful elections. Adeleke's campaign organisation, the Imole Campaign Council, also demanded the senator's immediate arrest and prosecution, accusing him of inciting violence against Accord Party members. The defamation threat from Adeleke's spokesman, Pelumi Olajengbesi, who threatened a ₦10 billion suit over separate allegations, has further escalated the political crisis.
Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has also petitioned the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada to impose visa bans and other sanctions on Fadahunsi over his alleged remarks. Adeyanju described the comments as an attempt to encourage violence against members of the Accord Party. The National Human Rights Commission has also called for the senator's suspension and arrest.
As of Wednesday evening, Fadahunsi remained at the police headquarters, with the outcome of his interrogation yet to be made public. The police have not indicated whether he will be charged or released. The senator's appearance before the police, coming just days before the election, has added to the growing sense of uncertainty in Osun State. Whether Fadahunsi will face prosecution or be allowed to continue his campaign remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: his words have already shaped the narrative of an election that was already teetering on the edge of violence. As Osun State prepares to go to the polls, the question on everyone's mind is whether the senator's controversial remarks will be a footnote in history or the spark that ignites a fire.
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