The political temperature in Osun State has risen sharply ahead of Saturday’s governorship election following a controversial viral video involving Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District.
The Osun State Police Command has summoned the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker for questioning over remarks allegedly interpreted as a threat against members and supporters of the rival Accord Party.
The development has triggered a fresh wave of political reactions and raised concerns over the possibility of violence as the state approaches the final days of the election campaign.
Reports from multiple Nigerian media outlets indicate that the police invitation followed the circulation of a video from an APC campaign event in Ilesa, where Fadahunsi was allegedly heard using language that appeared to call for violent action against members of the opposition party.
The police reportedly considered the content serious enough to warrant an official investigation, particularly given the heightened political atmosphere surrounding the August 15 election.
Police Summon Senator
Fadahunsi was invited to appear before the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Osogbo on Wednesday, August 12.
The invitation was contained in a letter dated August 11 and signed by Samuel Etaifo Erale, the Commissioner of Police responsible for election security in Osun State.
The senator was asked to clarify the circumstances surrounding statements attributed to him during an APC campaign programme in Ilesa.
The police said the remarks had been brought to their attention after the video circulated extensively across social media platforms. Investigators are expected to establish the full context of the statement and determine whether it amounted to incitement, intimidation or a threat capable of disturbing public order.
The case has attracted particular attention because of the timing. With only days remaining before voters head to the polls, security agencies are under increasing pressure to prevent inflammatory political rhetoric from escalating into physical confrontation.
Fadahunsi Denies Calling For Violence
Fadahunsi has rejected the interpretation being placed on the viral footage, arguing that the video does not accurately represent the context of his speech.
The senator said he was addressing alleged attacks on APC members in Ilesa and warning that the party would respond if violence against its supporters continued.
He further maintained that the footage circulating online was extracted from a much longer speech and edited in a way that altered the meaning of his remarks.
In his explanation, Fadahunsi said his reference to “killing” was connected to the political defeat of the Accord Party at the ballot box, rather than an instruction to physically harm its members. Other reports on Wednesday also carried his clarification that he intended to defeat Accord through votes, not violence.
Despite the explanation, the controversy has continued to generate widespread criticism, particularly because statements capable of being interpreted as threats can have serious consequences during a closely contested election.
Adeleke Calls For Investigation
The controversy has also drawn a forceful response from Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, who has called on security authorities to investigate the senator.
Adeleke accused Fadahunsi of making inflammatory statements against supporters of the Accord Party and urged the police to take action over what he described as a serious threat to public safety.
The governor has repeatedly alleged that APC-linked actors have been involved in attacks against Accord supporters during the election campaign. The APC and its supporters have, however, made their own allegations of attacks and intimidation against their members.
The competing accusations have contributed to an increasingly tense political atmosphere in the state as the election approaches.
Election Tension Intensifies
The police investigation has now added another layer to an already heated political contest.
Fadahunsi has not been convicted of any offence, and the police invitation is part of an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disputed video. The senator is expected to have the opportunity to explain his comments and provide his account of what transpired.
At the centre of the controversy is the question of context: whether the viral footage accurately captures the senator’s intended meaning or whether, as he maintains, portions of his speech were selectively presented.
The incident has nevertheless placed renewed focus on the responsibility of political leaders and their supporters to avoid language that could inflame tensions or encourage confrontation.
With the August 15 governorship election only days away, attention is now turning to the security agencies to ensure that political disagreements do not spill over into violence.
The immediate priority for authorities will be to establish the facts surrounding the disputed remarks, assess whether any law was breached and take appropriate action based on the outcome of the investigation.
For voters across Osun, the expectation remains clear: that the final days of the campaign and election day itself will be defined by political competition at the ballot box—not threats, intimidation or violence.
