The Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers and Advocates (COPA) has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force a seven-day ultimatum to take action over alleged inciting statements and killings recorded during the recent Osun State governorship election.

The coalition, which described the allegations as matters that go beyond political parties and election results, demanded a thorough investigation into videos allegedly showing political actors threatening opponents, seeking to prevent citizens from voting and, in one instance, calling for the killing of members of an opposition party.

National Coordinator of COPA, Ajibola Bello, who made the demand while addressing journalists in Abuja, said the coalition was particularly concerned that violence subsequently occurred in some communities where the alleged statements were made or directed, resulting in the deaths of several persons.

He stressed that the conclusion of the election could not terminate criminal responsibility for offences allegedly committed before or during the poll.

According to him, the coalition had reviewed a video attributed to a leading figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign in which he allegedly made a statement in Yoruba warning political opponents against going against President Bola Tinubu.

Bello said the statement, which he said was made at the commencement of the campaign, was followed by serious political violence in Esa-Oke, Oke’s hometown, including the killing of a citizen.

He, however, cautioned that COPA was not claiming that the statement, standing alone, established criminal responsibility for any subsequent killing.

“That determination belongs to investigators and ultimately the courts,” he said, stressing that the statement and the violence that followed were sufficient grounds for a thorough and impartial investigation.

The coalition also raised concerns over a video allegedly showing a senator calling on supporters to kill members of the Accord Party.

Bello described the allegation as particularly grave, noting that Francis Fadahunsi is a serving senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He said the alleged statement was followed by serious political violence in Ilesa and surrounding areas, where more than nine people were reportedly killed.

“Where a serving Senator is recorded allegedly telling supporters to kill members of an opposing political party, and people subsequently lose their lives in election-related violence, the institutions established by law cannot simply look away,” Bello said.

He said the issue was not whether the senator was guilty, but whether the allegations warranted investigation and, where sufficient evidence existed, prosecution.

COPA also cited a video attributed to Francis Eniade, in which he was allegedly heard telling non-APC members not to come out to vote.

Bello said Eniade was also allegedly recorded warning members of the Accord Party against coming out to vote and specifically naming the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun.

The coalition argued that no political actor had the authority to determine who could exercise the constitutional right to vote.

It said threats, intimidation or attempts to compel citizens to refrain from voting on the basis of political affiliation struck at the foundation of democratic government.

Bello said the alleged statements should not be dismissed as ordinary political rhetoric, arguing that they raised questions of potential criminal liability under the Electoral Act 2026 and other applicable laws.

He particularly challenged INEC to exercise its statutory responsibility in dealing with electoral offences.
According to him, Section 148(2) of the Electoral Act 2026 provides that prosecution of offences under the Act shall be undertaken by legal officers of INEC or legal practitioners appointed by the commission.

He urged the commission to act on any electoral offences disclosed by evidence rather than leave the matter entirely to the security agencies.

Bello said the police and other appropriate security agencies should investigate the allegations, authenticate the videos, identify and interview the persons involved, speak to witnesses and establish the circumstances surrounding the reported killings and other acts of violence.

He added that the relevant investigation files should subsequently be transmitted for prosecution where the evidence warranted such action.

“There can therefore be no institutional buck-passing,” he said.

The coalition expressed concern over alleged political protection, saying it had received reports suggesting that the failure to prosecute or investigate some of the persons involved could be connected to their membership or association with the APC.

Bello described the allegation as serious and challenged INEC and the police to disprove it through their actions.

“The easiest way to disprove an allegation of selective justice is to enforce the law without fear or favour,” he said.

It called on INEC to exercise its prosecutorial powers under Section 148 of the Electoral Act 2026 and ensure that anyone against whom sufficient evidence of an offence exists is charged before a competent court.

Bello emphasised that the coalition was not asking the authorities to pronounce the accused persons guilty.

“We are demanding investigation, prosecution where the evidence meets the legal threshold, and determination of guilt or innocence by a court of competent jurisdiction,” he said.