Michael Olugbode in Abuja
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for the immediate suspension and arrest of Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, over alleged inflammatory remarks in a viral video ahead of the August 15, 2026 Osun governorship election.
The commission, led by the Executive Secretary, Chief Tony Ojukwu, said the remarks attributed to Fadahunsi amounted to incitement to murder, electoral violence and voter intimidation.
According to the NHRC, the senator allegedly instructed supporters to kill members of the Accord Party whenever they encountered them and warned that Accord members should not be allowed to vote, even if they possessed voter cards.
Ojukwu described the alleged statement as “a licence to kill”, warning that authorities must act before violence occurs.
“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,” Ojukwu said.
The NHRC called on the Senate leadership to suspend Fadahunsi immediately, pending investigation, while urging the police and DSS to arrest, investigate and prosecute him in accordance with the law.
The commission also directed political party chairmen to instruct their members to refrain from hateful, inciting, intimidating or violent statements ahead of elections, adding that candidates or party supporters who violate such directives should be reported to law enforcement for prosecution.
The NHRC urged residents of Osun State to remain peaceful and report threats to the appropriate authorities. It said it has established a situation room to document and respond to human rights and electoral incidents during the election period.
The allegations against Fadahunsi require urgent investigation and due process, particularly given the seriousness of the alleged call for violence.