Osun Poll: Adeleke Demands Fadahunsi’s Arrest Over Alleged Kill Threat

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called for the immediate arrest and investigation of Senator Francis Fadahunsi over a viral video in which the lawmaker allegedly threatened to kill members and supporters of the Accord Party and their family members.

Adeleke made the demand on Tuesday at an emergency press briefing in Osogbo, where he also raised concerns over alleged police operations targeting Accord Party leaders ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

The governor alleged that a police signal had been issued directing the arrest of Accord Party leaders across the state, with instructions for those arrested to be taken to Abuja and detained until after the election.

He said he had raised the alleged directive with the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and called for an immediate investigation to establish its authenticity.

“I have spoken to the Inspector-General of Police about the reported directive to arrest Accord Party leaders. But I am appealing to him that this development, if true, is illegal and presents Nigeria as a lawless country,” Adeleke said.

The governor argued that the arrest and detention of opposition figures shortly before an election could undermine the integrity of the electoral process.

“Arresting Accord Party leaders on the eve of an election amounts to the police helping and assisting the APC to rig the election,” he alleged.

Adeleke claimed that more than 62 Accord Party leaders were already in police custody without charges, describing the alleged detention as a threat to democratic participation and the credibility of the election.

He also demanded an investigation into the viral video allegedly involving Fadahunsi, saying the reported remarks, if verified, should not be treated as ordinary political rhetoric.

“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,” the governor said.

Adeleke further alleged that the senator threatened the wives and children of Accord Party leaders in situations where the party’s leaders could not be located.

He said he had drawn the attention of the Inspector-General of Police to the video and demanded that the senator be investigated and arrested if the allegations were established.

According to the governor, Egbetokun acknowledged receiving the complaint and assured him that appropriate action would be taken.

Adeleke said the matter had moved beyond partisan politics and should be treated as a security concern, given the potential implications of alleged threats of violence during an election period.

“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,” he said.

The governor called on the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services to investigate the alleged threats and prosecute Fadahunsi if the contents of the video were authenticated and found to constitute incitement to violence.

He said such alleged threats were capable of heightening tension in Ijesaland and other parts of Osun ahead of Saturday’s election.

Adeleke also demanded an end to what he described as illegal operations by the police Intelligence Response Team, alleging that its personnel had been arresting Accord Party leaders in different local government areas without sufficient justification.

He urged security agencies to ensure that every arrest and operation carried out before, during and after the election complied with the law.

“We demand that the IGP enforce due process and fair policing by aborting all anti-people plots against democracy in Osun,” Adeleke said.

He also appealed to the police and other security agencies to uphold their statutory responsibilities and remain guided by the rule of law throughout the electoral process.

“We finally request that the police and other security agencies should act in line with the rule of law and their oath of office before, during and after these coming elections,” he said.

The governor’s allegations come just days before the August 15 Osun governorship election, which has generated heightened political activity and security concerns across the state.