Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun, has called for the arrest of Francis Fadahunsi, senator representing Osun East, over alleged remarks directing supporters to attack members of the Accord party.
Adeleke made the demand on Tuesday during an emergency press briefing in Osogbo, as the state prepares for Saturday’s governorship election.
Fadahunsi, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), came under criticism after a video circulated on social media in which he appeared to tell his supporters to kill Accord members.
The senator later clarified that the comment was metaphorical, saying he was urging his supporters to defeat the Accord party through lawful and peaceful means at the polls.
The Osun State Police Command has summoned Fadahunsi to appear before the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Osogbo on Wednesday to explain the circumstances surrounding the remarks.
Adeleke said the matter had gone beyond political competition and should now be treated as a national security concern.
“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 said he had contacted the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and requested an immediate investigation and arrest of the senator.
According to Adeleke, the IGP assured him that action would be taken.
“We ask that the police and the DSS immediately arrest Senator Fadahunsi for his incitement to genocide against the people of Ijesaland and Osun state,” he said.
Adeleke also raised concerns over an alleged police directive to arrest leaders of the Accord party in Osun and transfer them to Abuja for detention until after the election.
He said he had contacted the IGP over the alleged directive and urged the police chief to publicly clarify whether such an order had been issued.
“I task the IGP to issue a statement to assure Nigerians that no order has been given to arrest Accord party leaders in Osun state,” Adeleke said.
The governor further alleged that more than 62 Accord leaders were being detained by the police without charges.
He accused the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of carrying out what he described as illegal arrests of Accord members across several local government areas in the state.
Adeleke urged security agencies to maintain professionalism and respect due process before, during and after the August 15 governorship election.
“We demand that the IGP enforce due process and fair policing by aborting all anti-people plots against democracy in Osun state,” he added.
Ojo Triumph
Follow us on:
