Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called for the immediate investigation and arrest of Senator Francis Fadahunsi over a viral video allegedly showing the lawmaker calling for the killing of leaders and family members of the Accord Party.
Adeleke made the demand on Tuesday during an emergency press briefing convened to address recent developments in the state’s political landscape ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The governor described the alleged remarks as a serious threat that had gone beyond political rivalry, urging President Bola Tinubu and the Office of the National Security Adviser to treat the matter as a national security concern.
“This is now beyond politics. This is now a national security threat. I have demanded the immediate investigation and arrest of the senator,” Adeleke said.
He urged the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services to investigate the allegation against Fadahunsi and take appropriate action if the claims are established.
Adeleke also called on security agencies to halt what he described as unlawful operations against members of the Accord Party and ensure that all security activities before, during and after the election are conducted in accordance with the law.
The governor further alleged that a police directive had been issued for the immediate arrest of Accord Party leaders in Osun State, with instructions for those arrested to be taken to Abuja and detained until Monday.
According to him, he had contacted the Inspector-General of Police to verify the reported directive and determine whether such an order had actually been issued.
“I have spoken with the Inspector-General of Police over the reported directive and urged him to clarify whether such an order had been issued.
“I am appealing to him that this development, if true, is illegal, and presents Nigeria as a lawless country,” he said.
Adeleke warned that the alleged arrest of opposition leaders on the eve of the election could undermine the credibility of the electoral process.
He consequently urged the police authorities to publicly assure Nigerians that no such directive had been issued.
The governor further claimed that more than 62 Accord Party leaders were currently in police custody without charges, describing the alleged detention as unacceptable in a democratic society.
“It is disturbing that we still have over 62 Accord leaders held in illegal police detention without any charges against them. This is not democracy,” Adeleke said.
The development comes after the Imole Campaign Council called for the arrest and prosecution of Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi over an alleged threat to kill members and supporters of the Accord Party in Ijeshaland, Osun State.
The council made the demand in a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its Chairman, Media and Publicity, Bamidele Salam.
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