Amnesty International Nigeria has initiated an online petition calling for action against Senator Francis Fadahunsi over comments attributed to him ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, which the organisation described as inciting violence.
The human rights group made the call on Friday in a series of posts on its official X account, urging Nigerians to sign the petition to ensure that Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District, faces justice over the remarks.
“Online petition to ensure that Sen. Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi face justice for inciting violence ahead of Osun election is ready! You can sign here,” Amnesty said.
The organisation stressed the need to protect the rights of Osun residents to participate freely in the election.
“The human rights of the people of Osun state must be upheld and protected. People must be free to vote — without anything or anyone undermining their right to make political choices,” it said.
Amnesty further called on the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to investigate the remarks attributed to Fadahunsi.
“Allegations of incitement to violence ahead of the Osun election require urgent action. We call for a prompt, impartial and thorough investigation into the reported remarks attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi and accountability where the evidence establishes a criminal offence. Political differences must never become a justification for violence,” it added.
The development follows a video that circulated on social media earlier in the week, showing Fadahunsi addressing supporters in Ilesa in remarks that were interpreted as a threat against members of the Accord Party.
Following the backlash, Fadahunsi, through his media office, clarified that he was referring to defeating the Accord Party with votes and not physically attacking its members.
In a statement titled “Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence, Senator Fadahunsi Tells APC,” he described the comment as political and metaphorical and denied advocating violence or intimidation. The senator also urged his supporters to maintain peace and allow voters to freely exercise their rights.
The Osun State Police Command subsequently invited Fadahunsi to clarify the remarks in a letter dated August 11, directing him to appear before the State Criminal Investigation Department in Osogbo over statements described as potentially “threatening, inciting and intimidating.”
Fadahunsi honoured the invitation on Wednesday and was questioned by police for more than two hours before leaving the command. The police said the invitation was a proactive measure intended to reduce political tension ahead of the election.
The petition comes as Osun voters prepare to elect their governor on Saturday, August 15, amid heightened political tensions and concerns over electoral violence.
