By Saminu Ibrahim
The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has called for the immediate suspension and arrest of Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, over a viral video.
The Commission is also directing all party chairmen to issue directives to all their party members to desist from any hateful , inciting, intimidating and call to violence statements ahead of all coming up elections.
A statement on Wednesday signed by the Executive Secretary of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chief Tony Ojukwu SAN said any candidate or party faithful who violate these directives should be called out for violating constitutional and electoral frameworks for peaceful elections and should be surrendered to law enforcement authorities for prosecution.
Senator Fadahunsi is alleged to have instructed supporters to kill members of the Accord Party ahead of Saturday’s Osun governorship election.
In the video circulated online the person identified as the Senator was translated to have said:
“From now on, whenever you see Accord members, kill them. I authorise you to kill them. They have wives and children too. This is a Federal Government election. On election day, even if they come with voter cards, we won’t allow them to vote.”
The NHRC Boss described this remarks as incitement to murder, electoral violence, and voter intimidation, saying no well meaning Nigeria should sit by and allow such rhetoric to be tolerated without consequences from the law enforcement authorities.
“This is not politics. This is a licence to kill. A public officer who tells citizens to murder other citizens because of party affiliation must not be allowed to remain in office for one more day,” Ojukwu said.
“The Senate leadership is hereby called upon to suspend Senator Fadahunsi immediately pending conclusive investigation by the police.
"The Police and DSS must also arrest, investigate, and prosecute him now. We cannot wait until blood is spilled in Osun before we act. Prevention is the duty of the state and the leadership of the NASS is part of the state.”
The alleged remarks come days before the August 15 Osun governorship election
The NHRC said that given the gravity of the statements attributed to the Senator in the video, the matter requires urgent investigation by security agencies under due process.
The Commission is calling on authorities to immediately suspend Senator Fadahunsi from all Senate duties pending investigation.
The Commission urged citizens of Osun to remain peaceful and to report any threats to the Commission and relevant authorities as it has set up a situation room to report and document such incidents during the election period.