Amnesty International Nigeria has vowed to use Senator Francis Fadahunsi as an example in its campaign against impunity and inflammatory political rhetoric ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
The organisation also announced plans for an international “name-and-shame” campaign targeting politicians accused of advocating electoral violence.
Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District, has come under scrutiny following a viral video in which he was alleged to have directed supporters to “kill” members of the Accord Party, whose candidate is incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The senator has denied calling for physical attacks, maintaining that the video was edited to distort the meaning of his remarks.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, condemned the remarks attributed to Fadahunsi and said the organisation would use the case to challenge what he described as impunity among Nigerian politicians.
“We are going to use him as an example because 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 out on record saying ‘kill them wherever you find them’, I believe that 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 the 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 said.
He said Amnesty International Nigeria would extend the campaign beyond Nigeria by identifying politicians whose statements encourage electoral violence.
“We will do an international name-and-shame of those advocating for electoral violence. Amnesty International has branches in 150 countries. We will ensure they are named and shamed in those countries and alert their governments to how dangerous these people are,” he said.
Sanusi said holding Fadahunsi and other politicians accountable for statements capable of fuelling violence would send a strong warning ahead of the 2027 general elections and contribute to more peaceful and accountable polls.
Fadahunsi Denies Calling For Physical Attacks
Fadahunsi was interrogated by the Osun State Police Command in Osogbo on Wednesday over the controversial video.
Speaking to journalists after the questioning, the senator maintained that his comments had been misunderstood.
He said he was referring to using votes to “kill” the Accord Party in the August 15 governorship election rather than physically attacking its members or their families.
The controversy comes days before the Osun governorship election, with political parties and their supporters facing increased scrutiny over statements and activities that could threaten the peaceful conduct of the poll.
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