Amnesty International Nigeria has vowed to use Senator Francis Fadahunsi as an example in its campaign against electoral incitement, following remarks attributed to the Osun East lawmaker ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, made the statement on Thursday, August 13, during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
The controversy stems from a video circulating on social media in which Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District, was heard making remarks interpreted as a call for supporters to attack members of the Accord Party ahead of the August 15 election.
Fadahunsi has since maintained that the video was edited and that his “Kill Accord” comment was metaphorical, saying he was referring to defeating the party at the ballot box.
However, Sanusi said Amnesty International considered the remarks serious enough to warrant a strong response.
“We are going to use Fadahunsi as an example. He will be named and shamed in the 150 countries where Amnesty International operates for inciting electoral violence ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship election.
READ ALSO: Inciting Remarks: Ex-CDS Irabor Urges Police To Arrest Fadahunsi, Jingir, Gumi
“This is the first time we had so many other terrible politicians say terrible things ahead of elections.
“But this one is exceptional. A situation whereby somebody came on record, saying ‘kill them wherever you find them’, I believe that person does not deserve any peace again, because advocacy of hatred is a crime under international law, as well as Nigerian laws.
“Therefore, we are going to use this man as an example to show that impunity by Nigerian politicians cannot continue, and we cannot tolerate it again. The people have to hold them to account if the government could not do that.”
Sanusi’s comments come amid heightened political tension in Osun, with civil society groups and security stakeholders warning political actors and their supporters against inflammatory rhetoric ahead of the governorship poll.
The development has also intensified calls for law enforcement authorities to investigate statements capable of provoking violence and to ensure that political status or party affiliation does not shield anyone from accountability.