The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has called for the immediate suspension and arrest of Sen. Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, for inciting violence ahead of Saturday Osun governorship election.
The Executive Secretary of the commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu made this call in a statement issued in reaction to a viral video by Fadahunsi asking the All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters to “kill any Accord Party member they encountered anywhere ahead of Saturday election”.
The commission is also directing all party chairmen to issue directives to their party members to desist from any hateful, inciting, intimidating calls to violence or provocative statements ahead of the coming election.
“Any candidates or party faithful who violate these directives should be called out for violating constitutional and electoral framework for peaceful elections and should be picked up by the law enforcement authorities for prosecution,” he said.
In the video circulated online, the person identified as Sen. Francis Fadahunsi who spoke in Yoruba language when translated said:
“From now on, whenever you see Accord members, kill them. I authorise you to kill them. They have wives and children too. This is a Federal Government election. On election day, even if they come with voter cards, we won’t allow them to vote.”
Ojukwu described the remarks as incitement to murder, electoral violence and voter intimidation.
He added that no well-meaning Nigerian should sit by and allow such rhetoric to be tolerated without consequences from the law enforcement authorities.
“This is not politics. This is a licence to kill. A public officer who tells citizens to murder other citizens because of party affiliation must not be allowed to remain in office for one more day.
“The Senate leadership is hereby called upon to suspend Sen. Fadahunsi immediately pending conclusive investigation by the police.
“The Police and DSS must also arrest, investigate and prosecute him now. We cannot wait until blood is spilled in Osun before we act. Prevention is the duty of the state and the leadership of the NASS is part of the state,” he said.
He said that given the gravity of the statements attributed to the Senator in the video, the matter requires urgent investigation by security agencies under due process.
He added, therefore, that the commission is calling on the authorities to immediately suspend Sen. Fadahunsi from all Senate duties pending investigation.
Ojukwu urged the citizens of Osun to remain peaceful and to report any threats to the commission.
He added further that the commission had set up a situation room to report and document any rights violence incident during the election period.
