Adeleke seeks arrest of Osun Senator over alleged killing threat

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has called for the immediate arrest and investigation of Senator Francis Fadahunsi over a viral video in which the lawmaker was allegedly heard calling for the killing of Accord Party leaders, supporters and their family members ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

Adeleke, who made the demand while addressing journalists in Osogbo on Tuesday, said he had reported the matter to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.

According to the governor, the IGP confirmed that the video existed and assured him that immediate action would be taken.

Adeleke described the alleged remarks as a national security threat, saying they went beyond the bounds of political competition.

“The second issue has to do with the viral video of a serving Senator, Francis Fadahunsi, who today called for the killing of Accord Party leaders, supporters and their families.

“In the video, the Senator even threatened that where they cannot get Accord Party leaders, they should kill their wives and children.

“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,” he said.

The governor also urged the police and the Department of State Services to arrest Fadahunsi over what he described as alleged “incitement to genocide against the people of Ijesaland and Osun State”.

The video was circulated on social media by Afrobeat singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, who described Fadahunsi as a serving senator and shared an English translation of the remarks.

In the translation, Fadahunsi was allegedly heard saying that Accord Party members should be killed and that their wives and children should also be targeted.

However, Fadahunsi denied making a call for violence, saying the video had been edited and manipulated to distort his remarks.

In a statement personally signed by him, the senator said his comments were made in response to alleged attacks on members of the All Progressives Congress in Ilesa and other parts of the state.

“My attention has been drawn to an edited video being circulated by Davido on TikTok and Pelumi Olajengbesi on other social media platforms. The video was deliberately edited to distort what I said,” he said.

Fadahunsi maintained that he was referring to retaliation if the alleged attacks on APC members continued.

“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,” he said.

He added that the APC would defend its members if further attacks occurred, including on election day.

The senator accused the state government of failing to adequately condemn alleged attacks on APC members, claiming that more than 12 party members had reportedly been killed.

He, however, urged residents of Ijesaland and other parts of the state to reject violence and participate peacefully in Saturday’s election.

Meanwhile, Adeleke alleged that a police signal had been issued directing the arrest of Accord Party leaders across Osun State, with instructions for those arrested to be taken to Abuja and detained until after the election.

He said that, if confirmed, such an operation would amount to an attempt to use the police to influence the outcome of the election.

The governor also called for an end to what he described as the “illegal operations” of the Intelligence Response Team, alleging that its operatives had been arresting Accord Party leaders across various local government areas without justification.

“We demand that the IGP enforce due process and fair policing by aborting all anti-people plots against democracy in Osun State.

“We finally request that the police and other security agencies should act in line with the rule of law and their oath of office before, during and after these coming elections,” Adeleke said.