The camp of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has demanded the immediate arrest of Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi following a viral video in which the lawmaker was allegedly heard urging his supporters to attack and kill members of the Accord Party ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The demand came barely hours after the disturbing clip surfaced online, throwing the already tense Osun governorship race into fresh controversy.
In the video, Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District, was allegedly heard telling his supporters to kill Accord members wherever they found them in Ijeshaland.
The video, which quickly went viral after it was shared by Afrobeats star Davido, sparked widespread outrage and fears of violence ahead of the August 15 poll.
Reacting on Tuesday, the Imole Campaign Council (TICC), the campaign organisation backing Adeleke’s re-election, described the alleged comments as reckless, dangerous and a direct threat to peaceful elections.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Media and Publicity, Rep. Bamidele Salam, the council urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately investigate, arrest and prosecute the senator if the allegations are confirmed.
The campaign said the alleged threat was too serious to dismiss as mere political rhetoric, insisting that no elected public official should be allowed to incite violence without consequences.
It claimed the viral video reinforced intelligence it had received in recent weeks about the alleged movement of suspected thugs, hoodlums and persons posing as police officers into Ilase, Fadahunsi’s hometown, and other communities across Ijeshaland.
The council specifically named Obokun, Oriade, Ilesa East, Ilesa West, Atakumosa East and Atakumosa West as flashpoints that security agencies should closely monitor before and during Saturday’s election.
It further alleged that Fadahunsi boasted in the video that he had the backing of the Federal Government and threatened to stop Accord supporters from voting even if they arrived at polling units with valid Permanent Voter Cards.
Warning that such remarks could fuel violence, the campaign urged security agencies to strengthen security across Ijeshaland and ensure that every eligible voter could cast a ballot without fear.
The council also alleged that armed thugs and fake policemen had been stationed in Ilase-Ijesha and other parts of the zone, urging security agencies to investigate the claims and flush out anyone plotting to disrupt the election.
It warned that Fadahunsi would be held responsible for any attack on Accord members or supporters in Ijeshaland and elsewhere in Osun State.
The campaign further accused the senator of using operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) to intimidate Accord leaders, alleging that an aide identified as ASP Wemimo had led IRT personnel to the homes of party members in recent weeks.
It also claimed that its House of Representatives candidate, Alaba Popoola, was abducted on the senator’s instructions and had yet to regain his freedom, calling on security agencies to investigate the allegation.
As the countdown to Saturday’s election continues, the Adeleke campaign appealed to residents to remain peaceful, ignore intimidation and turn out en masse to vote, insisting that no threat should deny the people of Osun the right to choose their next governor.
