Amnesty International Nigeria has launched an online petition seeking action against Senator Francis Fadahunsi over comments attributed to him ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
The human rights organisation urged Nigerians to sign the petition, accusing the Osun East senator of making remarks capable of inciting violence during the tense election period.
Amnesty announced the petition on Friday through a series of posts on its official X account, saying it was aimed at ensuring that Fadahunsi faces justice if investigations establish that his comments amounted to a criminal offence.
The organisation also called on the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to urgently investigate the controversial remarks.
Amnesty said the people of Osun must be allowed to vote freely without intimidation, threats or violence, stressing that political rivalry should never be allowed to degenerate into bloodshed.
The petition followed a viral video showing Fadahunsi addressing supporters in Ilesa during the build-up to Saturday’s poll.
The senator was heard speaking in Yoruba, with his remarks widely interpreted as a call for attacks against supporters of the Accord Party.
The controversy sparked widespread outrage, forcing Fadahunsi’s media office to issue a clarification.
In a statement titled “Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence, Senator Fadahunsi Tells APC,” the senator explained that his comment was political and metaphorical, insisting that he was calling on APC supporters to defeat the Accord Party at the ballot box and not physically attack its members.
He also appealed to his supporters to remain peaceful and allow voters to freely exercise their democratic rights.
But the controversy did not end there.
The Osun State Police Command subsequently invited Fadahunsi to explain the remarks, directing him to appear before the State Criminal Investigation Department in Osogbo.
The invitation, dated August 11, described the statements under investigation as potentially threatening, inciting and intimidating.
Fadahunsi honoured the invitation on Wednesday and reportedly spent more than two hours answering questions before leaving the police command.
The police said the move was part of efforts to prevent the escalating political tension from spilling into violence ahead of the election.
With voters set to choose the next governor of Osun on Saturday, August 15, Amnesty said the authorities must act swiftly to protect the electorate and ensure that those found culpable of inciting violence are held accountable.
The online petition is available for Nigerians wishing to support the campaign for an investigation and accountability.
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