…Demands arrest of Fadahunsi for allegedly instigating killing, violence

Barely four days to Saturday’s governorship poll, Governor Ademola Adeleke, on Tuesday called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, to stop fresh order directing the arrest of prominent leaders of the Accord.

He said credible information indicated the receipt of latest signal by the Police directing immediate arrest of targeted leaders and major stakeholders of his party, who will moved to Abuja and detained until after election.

Describing the order as a dangerous, illegal, and threat to Nigeria’s democracy and dent on the nation’s image in the global community, Adeleke contended any inimical act capable of precipitating chaos ahead of the election should be stopped.

Addressing journalists at Oke-Fia Government House, Adeleke also demanded the arrest of the lawmaker representing Osun East Senatorial District, Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, over a viral video where he allegedly called for the killing and maiming of Accord members and their families in Ijesa axis.

The governor alleged that a police signal had been issued directing the immediate arrest of Accord Party leaders in Osun State, with instructions that those arrested be taken to Abuja and not released until Monday.

Adeleke maintained that such an operation, if confirmed, would amount to an attempt to use the police to manipulate outcome of the election.

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

He also alleged that more than 62 leaders of his party, Accord still remained in police detention without charges, describing the situation as incompatible with democratic practice.

Commenting on the viral video involving Senator Fadahunsi, Adeleke said the matter had gone beyond partisan politics and should now be treated as a national security concern.

According to him, “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. In the video, the Senator even threatened that where they cannot get Accord Party leaders, they should kill their wives and children.”

Adeleke further hinted that he had informed the IGP about the video and that he had been assured of immediate action over the development.

“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,” the governor said.

He further called on the police and the Department of State Service (DSS) to immediately arrest Senator Fadahunsi over what he described as an alleged incitement to genocide against the people of Ijesaland and Osun State.

Adeleke also demanded an end to what he described as the “illegal operations” of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), alleging that its operatives had been apprehending Accord Party leaders across local government areas without justification.