Comments attributed to Osun State Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the eve of the governorship election in the state are not just inciting; they constitute a threat to democratic evolution, peace and tranquillity in the state. Similarly, comments by Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir at the mass wedding of 1,500 couples in Kano were reckless and constitute an invitation to political and religious upheaval. The two comments are the least Nigeria needs in this period of political uncertainty and upcoming 2027 elections. Notably, the police in Osun invited and counselled Fadahunsi over his comments. Comments made by political and religious or community leaders ought to be made with reasonable circumspection. Otherwise, they should attract stiff penalties to deter prospective actors with similar negative motives.

Fadahunsi was reported to say that members of the Accord Party (AP) would be killed if they came to campaign in his area in the build-up to the 2026 governorship election in Osun State. Although he later clarified that his statement was misrepresented, the comment nevertheless was capable of being acted upon by overzealous fans, many of whom thrive on controversies.

Also speaking at the Kano State Government’s mass wedding for 1,500 couples, in the presence of two state governors, Jingir urged Muslims to sustain the Muslim-Muslim ticket. He described Christians as “infidels” who must be shown their limits. Again, the statement was reckless and capable of inciting his fans towards sectarian violence. Both leaders should be properly called to order.

The threat by Fadahunsi is a blot on the reputation of the Senate and, by extension, the National Assembly where he currently represents Osun East senatorial district. His utterances signify a patent disregard for human life.

Anybody, no matter how highly placed, who directly or indirectly promotes violence and intolerance in politics in this country is an enemy of democracy and not fit to hold public office. Nigerians and all relevant institutions must ensure that promoters of violence do not destroy the nation’s democracy.

The media reported that in a viral video, Fadahunsi, who spoke in Yoruba while addressing supporters of the APC in Ilesa, Osun State, warned against the activities of Accord Party members in the area ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election, urging his party faithful to confront members of the AP if they encountered them before the election. ‘If we hear of Accord Party in Ilesa, there will be trouble. We will all come out and vote. Please record me. We are here, and between now and the election, if we see anyone from the Accord Party, we will kill them’, Fadahunsi was quoted to have told the APC supporters.

Besides protecting all individuals from intentional and unlawful killing by anyone, the Constitution also prohibits torture, inhuman or degrading treatment of innocent people. Can Fadahunsi feign ignorance of the 1999 Constitution that guarantees human life and forbids killing except under lawful circumstances and as ordered by constituted authorities? A senator is expected to be versed in the provisions of the Constitution, which forms the foundation of his official responsibility.

Also, Section 40 of the same 1999 Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to assemble freely and associate with others, including the right to form or belong to any political party. Furthermore, Section 221 vests the exclusive right to canvass for votes in elections within political parties.

Accord Party is a registered political party in Nigeria, just as Fadahunsi’s APC, and Nigerians, including indigenes of Osun State, have a right to belong to it. Therefore, what right or power has Fadahunsi to either kill, threaten to kill or recommend the killing of Accord Party members?; on what ground did he prevent members of the opposition political party from canvassing for votes as guaranteed by the constitution?; what law did the Accord Party break by canvassing for votes, especially within the time allowed by the rule of the game?; and don’t the AP members have a right to decide who should be their governor in a democratic country that practises multi-party system of government?

The Commissioner of Police in charge of the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election, CP Samuel Erale Etaifo, spoke appropriately when he strongly condemned Fadahunsi’s statement, noting that at this critical period of the electoral process, political leaders and public office holders are expected to exercise restraint, promote peace and refrain from making comments capable of heightening tension.

It was reported that ahead of the governorship poll in Osun, no fewer than 73 election-related violent incidents occurred and resulted in the death of 29 persons. The report, which was contained in the Pre-Election Security Risk Assessment by the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) and was presented in Abuja, identified 12 local governments as the high-risk areas, with Osogbo, the state capital, as the worst hit. Analysis of the situation showed that shootings and killings, physical assaults, intimidation and harassment, kidnappings, destruction of property and verbal attacks were among the recurring forms of violence that were recorded during the assessment period.

The threat to kill by Fadahunsi confirmed the fear that some influential figures were behind the violence in Osun. In another viral video, another politician described as a House of Representatives candidate of the APC was seen threatening that anyone who is not an APC member should not come out to vote on the day of the election. Why?

It bears emphasising that the will of the people, not a few persons, is the core foundation of democracy wherever it is practised and it serves as the true basis for government authority. Power belongs to the people who are expected to not only decide who rules them but also how they are ruled.

The statement by Fadahunsi’s media office saying what the senator meant was that his supporters should reject the Accord Party at the ballot box through lawful, peaceful and democratic means during the election amounts to being clever by half. The word ‘kill’ is not a known synonym of the word ‘reject’. It was face-saving and certainly not a credible excuse.

Fadahunsi’s threat was a direct attack on the political right of the Accord Party members to pick their governor. It amounts to a clandestine move to subvert the will of the voters. It is dangerous to democracy, unacceptable and it should not happen again.