Nigerian CSOs Demand Probe into Senator Fadahunsi Over Alleged Election Violence Incitement

Nigerian civil society organizations are calling for a comprehensive investigation into Senator Francis Fadahunsi, who represents the Osun East Senatorial District. The demand follows allegations that the senator incited violence during the build-up to the recent Osun State governorship election.

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First, we congratulate the people of Osun State for a largely peaceful and successful election.

ActionAid Nigeria and The Abuja School of Social and Political Thought jointly stated that reports indicate Fadahunsi allegedly instructed supporters to attack members of the Accord Party, including voters, in Yoruba. The organizations emphasized that such statements, if proven, should be treated with utmost seriousness by law enforcement, irrespective of the perpetrator's political standing.

"First, we congratulate the people of Osun State for a largely peaceful and successful election," said Dr. Andrew Mamedu, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, and Dr. Sam Amadi, Director of The Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, during a joint press conference in Abuja. They acknowledged the encouraging voter participation but expressed concern that about a million registered voters did not cast their ballots, suggesting that violence and inflammatory rhetoric may have discouraged some citizens.

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Of particular concern is the public statement attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East, in which he reportedly told supporters to seek out and kill members of the Accord Party they encountered in the area, including voters. The statement was reportedly communicated in Yoruba.

The civil society groups stressed the need to address factors contributing to voter apathy. They highlighted the alleged statement by Senator Fadahunsi as particularly concerning, stating that any verified threat against citizens based on their political choices poses a serious risk to democratic governance. The normalization of violent rhetoric in Nigerian politics, they warned, is a grave issue.

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That a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria could publicly make a statement encouraging violence against political opponents raises serious concerns about the growing normalization of violent rhetoric in our politic