Osun Election Turmoil: Senator Fadahunsi's Death Threat Controversy Ignites Political Firestorm!

Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, has been summoned by the Osun State Police Command following allegations of threatening members of the Accord Party ahead of Saturday’s governorship election. The controversy erupted after a viral video surfaced, purportedly showing Fadahunsi instructing supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to “kill” members of the rival Accord Party if found in certain parts of Ilesa during the electoral process. These remarks have significantly escalated concerns regarding potential political violence in the lead-up to the August 15 governorship election in the state.

In response to the viral video, the police issued a letter dated August 11, 2026, inviting Senator Fadahunsi to provide clarification on the circumstances surrounding the alleged statements made during an APC campaign in Ilesa. The invitation, signed by Samuel Etaifo Erale, the Commissioner of Police in charge of elections in Osun State, directed Fadahunsi to report to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Osogbo at 11:00 am on Wednesday, August 12. The police stated that the invitation was based on information indicating the senator had made statements considered “threatening, inciting, and intimidating,” which had already circulated widely across electronic and social media platforms. The command intends to question Fadahunsi about the remarks and their potential implications for peace and security during the upcoming election, amidst heightened political tensions as parties intensify their campaigns.

The alleged death threat also drew strong condemnation from Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). In a statement posted on X on Tuesday, Obi described Fadahunsi’s remarks as “inflammatory” and “threat-laden,” cautioning that such rhetoric could heighten tensions and potentially trigger electoral violence. He expressed concern that such comments were coming from a serving member of the National Assembly, stressing that political leaders bear a crucial responsibility to promote peace and uphold democratic values. Obi emphasized that elections should be peaceful exercises allowing citizens to freely choose their leaders without intimidation, harassment, or coercion, and warned that resorting to threats or disruption undermines the credibility of the electoral process and instills fear among voters. He urged Fadahunsi to retract the alleged comments and issue an apology to the people of Osun State. Furthermore, Obi called upon all political leaders, party supporters, and stakeholders across party lines to exercise restraint, moderate their language, and commit to peaceful conduct before, during, and after the election. He also appealed to security agencies to closely monitor inflammatory statements and ensure equal protection for voters, election officials, and all citizens throughout the electoral process, asserting that “the democratic mandate belongs to the people, and no individual, regardless of status or political office, should attempt to subvert the will of the people through fear or coercion.”

Conversely, Senator Francis Fadahunsi has denied claims of inciting violence, asserting that the viral video circulating on social media misrepresented his comments. He claimed that portions of his speech were deliberately edited by individuals like Davido on TikTok and Pelumi Olajengbesi on other platforms to create a false impression of what he actually said during the political gathering. Clarifying his remarks, the lawmaker explained that he was reacting to alleged killings of party members in Ilesa and other parts of Osun State. He stated, “What I said was that if the alleged killing of our party members by Accord Party thugs does not stop, our party will retaliate. I was referring to the continued violence and attacks against our members in Ilesa and other parts of the state.” Fadahunsi stressed that his comments were a call for justice and the protection of lives, not an endorsement of violence. He added, “My statement was very clear: if the killings do not stop, we shall also retaliate. We are here to lodge complaints and demand justice. It is unacceptable for human beings to kill fellow human beings the way our members are allegedly being killed in Ilesa.” The senator also condemned the reported wave of killings in Ilesa, expressing concern over what he described as an inadequate official response to the incidents. He called on residents to remain peaceful and participate in the forthcoming governorship election without resorting to violence, emphasizing that “Our democracy must not be destroyed by violence. We must protect the lives of our people and ensure that the electoral process is peaceful, free and credible.”