Osun Poll: Rights Group Demands Protection for Accord Members, Probe of ‘Killing’ Claim

…SOJA warns against political violence, urges security agencies to act before Saturday’s governorship election

By: Michael Mike

A human rights and anti-corruption advocacy group, Speak Out for Justice Advocacy Ltd/GTE (SOJA), has called for immediate protection of political actors and voters in Osun State following an alleged call for the killing of members of the Accord Party ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

SOJA, in a statement issued on Thursday, demanded a thorough and impartial investigation into a video allegedly showing Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, making comments at a political gathering in Ilesa that could be interpreted as urging supporters to kill Accord Party members before the election.

The organisation, however, acknowledged the senator’s subsequent appearance at the police invitation and his denial that he called for anyone to be physically killed.

According to SOJA, Fadahunsi explained that his use of the word “killing” was intended to mean defeating his political opponents with votes.

The rights group said it would not prejudge the outcome of the police inquiry, stressing that the authenticity, context and meaning of the controversial statement must be objectively established by competent authorities.

It nevertheless warned that the senator’s explanation could not, on its own, eliminate the need for investigation, particularly given the heightened political atmosphere in Osun ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

“Where words capable of being reasonably understood as a call to violence against identifiable political opponents are publicly uttered in an atmosphere of political tension, the State has a responsibility to investigate the circumstances thoroughly and to take reasonable measures to prevent the words from translating into violence,” SOJA said.

The organisation warned political parties and their supporters against turning electoral competition into a struggle involving intimidation, bloodshed or physical attacks.

It stressed that political contests in a constitutional democracy should be decided through ideas, policies, campaigns and ultimately the ballot box.

“No political party owns Nigeria. No politician owns Osun State. No political office confers a licence to threaten, intimidate, assault or kill political opponents,” the group said.

SOJA also rejected the notion that political opponents should be treated as enemies, insisting that membership of Accord or any other political party cannot deprive a Nigerian of the protection of the law.

The group said the State has a responsibility not only to investigate violence after it occurs but also to take preventive measures where there is a credible risk to lives.

With the election only days away, SOJA urged security agencies to intensify intelligence-led operations in identified political flashpoints across Osun State.

It called for equal protection for members and supporters of Accord, APC, PDP and all other legally recognised political parties, warning against selective enforcement or the use of security agencies to intimidate opposition supporters.

The organisation also urged authorities to ensure that no citizen is prevented by threats, violence or coercion from attending political meetings, associating with political parties or casting a ballot.

“Government must not wait until a political supporter is killed before taking the risk seriously,” SOJA said.

The advocacy group called on the Federal Government, Osun State Government, Nigeria Police Force, other security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a comprehensive examination of the controversial video.

It specifically asked investigators to establish the source and authenticity of the recording, examine the complete footage and surrounding statements, and determine whether any offence was committed under applicable Nigerian law.

Where evidence establishes criminal conduct, SOJA said, prosecution should follow in accordance with due process.

It also demanded that the investigation be conducted without political interference, intimidation or selective application of the law.

The organisation drew attention to provisions of the Electoral Act relating to inflammatory campaign language and threats of violence, arguing that the reported statement should be assessed within the context of the electoral laws and other applicable legislation.

SOJA separately appealed to Fadahunsi, as a serving senator, to make an unequivocal public declaration rejecting political violence.

It urged him to publicly state that he neither supports nor condones the killing, assault, intimidation or harassment of Accord Party members or any Nigerian because of political affiliation.

“If his assertion that he meant ‘kill them with votes’ represents the true meaning of his words, then SOJA urges him to state this clearly and publicly and to encourage his supporters to defeat their political opponents only through lawful democratic means and the ballot box,” the group said.

The rights organisation also appealed to all parties and their supporters to exercise restraint, warning against retaliation and political thuggery.

“No perceived provocation justifies revenge. No electoral ambition justifies murder. No political office is worth a human life. No election victory is worth the destruction of Osun State,” it said.

SOJA maintained that its condemnation of political violence was not targeted at any particular party, stressing that the lives of Nigerians should not be valued according to political affiliation.

“We condemn the killing of APC members. We condemn the killing of Accord Party members. We condemn the killing of PDP members. We condemn the killing of supporters of every political party,” it said.

The group urged political leaders to recognise that inflammatory statements could have consequences beyond their immediate audience, particularly when repeated by supporters or interpreted as instructions by political thugs.

SOJA called on political actors to ensure that the August 15 election is conducted in an atmosphere where voters can move freely, express their preferences without fear and participate in the democratic process without intimidation.

It urged security agencies to remain politically neutral and protect citizens rather than political interests.

“The forthcoming Osun Governorship Election must be an exercise in democracy, not a theatre of violence,” the organisation said.

“Political leaders must compete for votes, not lives. Security agencies must protect citizens, not political interests. Law enforcement must investigate credible threats before they become tragedies.”

The group appealed for the people of Osun State to reject violence and allow the ballot to determine the next governor.

“Let the votes decide. Let the law prevail. Let every citizen live.” The group stated.

Osun Poll: Rights Group Demands Protection for Accord Members, Probe of ‘Killing’ Claim