CSOs insist on Probe, Prosecution of Fadahunsi Over Alleged Osun Death Threats

ActionAid Nigeria and the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought have insisted that the Nigeria Police Force and prosecutorial authorities should promptly investigate and, where evidence warrants, prosecute Senator Francis Fadahunsi over alleged threats against members of the Accord Party during the build-up to the 2026 Osun State governorship election.

The civil society organisations made the demand on Monday while addressing a joint press conference on the aftermath of the August 15 governorship election, warning that failure to hold political actors accountable for inflammatory rhetoric could deepen Nigeria’s culture of electoral impunity.

The controversy surrounding Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), arose from a viral video in which he was allegedly heard directing supporters to kill members of the Accord Party if they encountered them in Ilesa.

The Osun State Police Command subsequently summoned the senator for questioning over the remarks, which it described as potentially threatening, inciting and intimidating. Fadahunsi later denied calling for violence, saying his remarks had been misunderstood and that he meant defeating the Accord Party at the ballot box.

ActionAid Nigeria and the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, however, said the matter should not end with the senator’s invitation or interview by the police.

They demanded a thorough investigation and appropriate prosecution if the available evidence establishes that an offence was committed.

According to the groups, publicly threatening citizens because of their political affiliation or voting choices raises serious concerns under Nigeria’s criminal laws and represents a dangerous normalisation of violent political rhetoric.

They said: “Impunity is at the heart of electoral violence,” warning that failure to investigate and prosecute electoral offences creates incentives for politicians and their supporters to resort to threats, intimidation and violence in the pursuit of political power.

The organisations also urged the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that the investigation is conducted transparently, professionally and without political interference, with the case file transmitted to the appropriate prosecutorial authorities where sufficient evidence exists.

They further called on the Attorney-General of the Federation to send a clear warning to political actors ahead of the 2027 general elections that threats, incitement to violence and attacks on citizens’ constitutional rights would not be tolerated.

The call comes amid wider condemnation of the senator’s alleged remarks. Amnesty International has urged the police to investigate the matter, while the National Human Rights Commission called for Fadahunsi’s arrest and suspension, describing the alleged comments as an incitement to murder, electoral violence and voter intimidation.

The Osun State Government has also approached the state High Court seeking an order compelling the Inspector-General of Police and the state Commissioner of Police to investigate the allegations against the senator.

The groups said the controversy underscored a larger problem confronting Nigeria’s democracy: the use of threats and violence to restrict citizens’ freedom to participate in politics.

They stressed that citizens must be able to associate with political parties, campaign, express political opinions and vote for candidates of their choice without fear of violence or retaliation.

“Democracy is not only about ballots; it is also about people’s freedoms and liberties,” they said.

The organisations also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen its monitoring of political actors before, during and after elections and work with security and prosecutorial agencies to address intimidation, violence and other electoral offences.

While commending the people of Osun State for what they described as a largely peaceful election, the groups noted that a significant number of registered voters who collected their Permanent Voter Cards did not participate in the poll.

They warned that political violence and inflammatory rhetoric could discourage citizens from exercising their democratic rights.

The organisations said they would maintain a watching brief on developments in Osun State, particularly the handling of allegations involving Fadahunsi and other political actors.

They urged political parties, civil society organisations, the media, security agencies and citizens to reject violent politics and demand accountability ahead of the 2027 elections.

They declared: “No one should be above the law, and no one should be below its protection.”

The groups said ending electoral impunity was essential to restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s elections and ensuring that citizens could participate freely and safely in the country’s democratic process.