Why We Invited Osun Senator Over Alleged Killing Threat — Police
The Osun State Police Command has explained that it invited Senator Francis Fadahunsi for questioning over a statement attributed to him in which he allegedly threatened to kill members of the Accord Party found in Ilesa ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of security for the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election, Samuel Etaifo, said the invitation was part of proactive measures to prevent the escalation of political tensions and safeguard the electoral process.
Etaifo, in a statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, and obtained in Osogbo, condemned the alleged statement attributed to the lawmaker representing Osun East Senatorial District.
According to the police, Fadahunsi was invited to clarify the circumstances surrounding the statement and to foster understanding in the interest of peace and security.
The statement read in part, “At this critical period of the electoral process, political leaders and public office holders are expected to exercise restraint, promote peace, and refrain from making comments capable of heightening tension or undermining public confidence in the electoral and security arrangements put in place for the forthcoming election.”
The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to neutrality, professionalism and the protection of democratic values, warning that the police would not tolerate acts, utterances or conduct capable of inciting violence, disrupting public order or threatening the security of the state.
“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police has invited Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi to provide clarification on the statement and to foster mutual understanding in the interest of peace and security,” Etaifo said.
He stressed that the invitation should not be misconstrued as intimidation, describing it instead as a preventive measure aimed at averting the escalation of tensions and ensuring a peaceful, free, fair and credible governorship election.
The command urged political actors, their supporters and members of the public to remain law-abiding, refrain from inflammatory rhetoric and pursue grievances through lawful channels.
“The command remains committed to maintaining law and order before, during, and after the election and urges all stakeholders to place the peace and stability of Osun State above partisan interests,” the statement added.
Fadahunsi, an All Progressives Congress senator, reportedly came under criticism on Tuesday after a video circulated on social media showing him allegedly threatening members of the Accord Party ahead of the election.
In the video, recorded at the palace of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland in Ilesa during a protest over the alleged killing of three APC members in the town, Fadahunsi was heard speaking in Yoruba and allegedly warning that Accord Party members seen in Ilesa before the election would be killed.
The lawmaker reportedly said, “How many people have you seen the APC kill? We are here to tell you that until the day of the election, if we see any Accord member in Ilesa, we will kill him.”
Another APC figure, Francis Eniade, the party’s candidate for Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo Otin Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, also reportedly made controversial remarks at a campaign rally.
In a separate video, Eniade allegedly urged non-APC supporters not to come out to vote in Odo Otin Local Government Area on election day.
The development prompted Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to call for Fadahunsi’s arrest and investigation, warning that the alleged remarks could trigger violence and mass killings.
Adeleke said he had raised the matter with the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, who, according to the governor, confirmed the existence of the video and assured him that appropriate action would be taken.
The police, however, said Fadahunsi’s invitation was intended to clarify the alleged statement and contribute to maintaining peace ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
