The Osun State Police Command has deemed a viral video featuring Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing the Osun East senatorial district, a “source of serious concern” following backlash over his alleged comments instructing supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to “kill” members of the rival Accord Party ahead of the upcoming governorship election.

The video which sparked outrage on social media, with claims that Fadahunsi directed APC supporters to commit violence against opposition members if seen during the electoral process. This prompted police action, as authorities are unwilling to tolerate public incitement to violence, regardless of the individual’s political status.

While speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Osun State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, stated, “He is a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We are not talking about immunity here. Even people not up to his status, we normally write invitation letters to them.” He confirmed that Fadahunsi has been invited to provide clarification, emphasizing, “If they honour it, fine; if they don’t, then we go after them.”

The police have a letter dated August 11, 2026, inviting Fadahunsi to “clarify the circumstances” surrounding his comments allegedly made during an APC campaign in Ilesa. The invitation, signed by Samuel Etaifo Erale, the Commissioner of Police for Elections in Osun State, orders the senator to appear at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Osogbo on August 12 at 11:00 am. The letter indicated that the invitation was based on information suggesting that Fadahunsi’s statements during the campaign were “considered to be threatening, inciting and intimidating in nature.”

In response to the controversies, Fadahunsi denied the accusations, labeling them a “deliberate misrepresentation.” He claimed his remarks were a reaction to the “continued killing of APC members” by alleged thugs associated with the Accord Party in Ilesa. “The video was deliberately edited to distort what I actually said,” he stated, further explaining, “What I said was that if the alleged killing of our party members by Accord Party thugs does not stop, our party will retaliate.”

Fadahunsi expressed his commitment to justice and community safety, asserting, “It is unacceptable for human beings to kill fellow human beings the way our members are allegedly being killed in Ilesa. All those being killed are Nigerians and, indeed, sons and daughters of the same communities.” He stressed that the APC would defend its members if the violence persisted, stating, “If our party members are killed again, we will not simply fold our arms and watch.”

Following the release of the video, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke called for the arrest and investigation of Fadahunsi concerning his comments. He accused the senator of inciting violence and “genocide” against Accord Party members. He stated, “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.”

Adeleke, who is seeking re-election under the Accord Party, has frequently accused the APC of using thugs to target and kill his supporters. During a press conference, he demanded the “immediate arrest” of Fadahunsi, declaring that no one should be above the law.
“The IGP has confirmed the video and assured me of immediate action,” he said.

In urging law enforcement to take swift action, Adeleke called for an end to the illegal operations of the police team conducting arbitrary arrests of Accord Party leaders across local governments. He reinforced the need for legal action against Fadahunsi for inciting violence, asserting that it is vital to demonstrate that Nigeria upholds the rule of law.