Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, has urged supporters at his polling unit 1, NUD Primary School, Collation Centre in Ilase-Ijesa to monitor choices made by voters during the ongoing Osun State governorship election.
A video obtained by Tribune Online on Saturday showed the All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftain addressing supporters in Yoruba at his polling unit, where he said, “Be looking at who people thumb print for. Whoever votes for who who he or she is not supposed to vote for is not true indigene of Ijesa in Ilase.”
The remark comes barely two days after Amnesty International Nigeria announced plans to launch a global campaign against the lawmaker over comments it alleged could incite violence ahead of the August 15, 2026, governorship election in Osun State.
Speaking on Channels Television on Thursday, the Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, said the organisation would use the senator’s case to highlight the dangers of inflammatory political statements and the need to hold public office holders accountable.
Sanusi said Amnesty International, which has a presence in about 150 countries, would draw international attention to the senator’s remarks as part of its campaign against political rhetoric capable of fuelling violence.
According to him, the organisation viewed the alleged comments as particularly troubling because they were made publicly and were perceived as encouraging attacks on members of an opposing political party.
He maintained that incitement to violence and advocacy of hatred violate both Nigerian and international laws, adding that Amnesty International would continue to push for accountability whenever political actors make statements that could undermine peaceful democratic processes.
Sanusi also stressed that citizens have a responsibility to hold political leaders accountable where state institutions fail to act.
He said, “Yes, we are going to use him as an example because this is the first time we have had so many other terrible politicians say terrible things ahead of the election. But this one is exceptional. A situation whereby somebody came out on television, on record, saying, “Kill them wherever you find them.”
“I believe that that person does not deserve any peace again because advocacy of hatred is a crime under international law, as well as Nigerian law. Therefore, we are going to use this man as an example to show that the impunity of Nigerian politicians cannot continue, and we cannot tolerate it again. The people have to hold them to account if the government cannot do that.”
Tribune Online reports that the controversy followed an invitation issued to Fadahunsi by the Osun State Police Command over remarks contained in a viral video linked to a political gathering in Ilesa.
In a letter dated August 11, 2026, the police requested the senator’s appearance to clarify circumstances surrounding statements allegedly made during an APC campaign event.
The invitation, signed by Samuel Etaifo Erale, the Commissioner of Police in charge of elections in Osun State, directed the lawmaker to report to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Osogbo on August 12.
Police said the action was prompted by reports that the senator made statements considered threatening, intimidating and capable of inciting violence, with the video circulating widely on electronic and social media platforms.
The issue gained attention after a video shared on X showed Fadahunsi speaking in Yoruba and allegedly calling on supporters to attack members of the Accord Party.
However, his media team dismissed that interpretation, arguing that the senator was urging supporters to kill the Accord Party with votes rather than through violence.
In a statement titled “Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence,” the team said the remarks were political and metaphorical, intended to mobilise supporters to reject the party through lawful and democratic voting during the election.
Fadahunsi subsequently returned home after honouring the police invitation and appearing before authorities at the police headquarters in Osun.
Cc: Nigerian Tribune