By Emmanuel Thomas l Wednesday, August 12, 2026
OSOGBO — The Senator representing Osun East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, has arrived at the Osun State Police Command Headquarters in Osogbo following an official summons regarding alleged inciting and threatening statements made ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The lawmaker arrived at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) at approximately 2:35 p.m. on Wednesday. He was accompanied to the command premises by the Commissioner of Police in charge of Election Security in Osun State, CP Samuel Etaifo Erale.
The interrogation followed the rapid circulation of a video clip on social media platforms, in which the federal lawmaker, addressing supporters in Yoruba during an All Progressives Congress (APC) event in Ilesa, allegedly directed party faithful to “kill” members of the rival Accord Party whenever they were encountered prior to the poll.
Police Stance on Election Security
In an invitation letter dated August 11, 2026, signed by CP Samuel Etaifo Erale, the police authority noted that the interrogation was necessitated by intelligence indicating that statements uttered by the lawmaker were “threatening, inciting, and intimidating in nature”.
The command emphasized that such utterances carry the potential to breach public peace and destabilize security arrangements put in place for the August 15 governorship poll.
Speaking on the development through the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, the Police Commissioner condemned all forms of inflammatory rhetoric by high-profile political figures.
”At this critical period of the electoral process, political leaders and public office holders are expected to exercise utmost restraint, promote peace, and refrain from making comments capable of heightening tension or undermining public confidence in the electoral and security arrangements,” the statement read.
The controversy comes against a backdrop of escalating political rivalries and violent skirmishes across various local government areas in Osun State.
The viral video was recorded at the palace of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland in Ilesa, where Senator Fadahunsi and other APC leaders had gathered during a demonstration protesting the recent killings of political supporters in the community.
Reports indicate that just 24 hours prior to the speech, at least three individuals were killed in a shooting incident in the Imo area of Ilesa, further inflaming political tempers.
During the address, Fadahunsi accused members of the Accord Party—distinguishable by their signature yellow caps—of orchestrating violence against APC members in Ijesaland. He expressed frustration over what he described as inadequate police intervention despite repeated formal complaints.
Senator Fadahunsi Clarifies Remarks: ‘Metaphorical, Not Physical’
Following public outcry and the subsequent police summons, Senator Fadahunsi’s media team issued a clarification titled “Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence”.
Addressing the press and speaking on national television, the lawmaker insisted that his Yoruba statement was taken out of context and interpreted too literally.
”If you listen to the speech carefully, I was speaking in Yoruba, and political language often carries figurative meanings,” Fadahunsi stated. “My message to our supporters was to show superior strength by defeating the Accord Party thoroughly at the ballot box—to ‘kill’ their electoral chances with votes, not through physical violence.”
His media office added that the senator remains a law-abiding citizen and a strong advocate for peaceful elections, urging security agencies to focus on apprehending perpetrators responsible for the recent killings in Ilesa rather than misinterpreting political speeches.
As of press time, Senator Fadahunsi remained inside the SCID complex in Osogbo, providing statements to police investigators regarding the incident.
Security around the command headquarters has been beefed up to prevent any disruption by political supporters gathering in the state capital.
