The Osun State Police Command has summoned Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, over a controversial statement allegedly made during an All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally in Ilesa.
The invitation followed the circulation of a video on social media in which Fadahunsi, while addressing APC supporters in Yoruba, was allegedly heard making a statement interpreted as a call to kill members of the rival Accord Party during the Osun governorship election.
The development comes just days before the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election, with political activities and campaign engagements reaching their peak across the state.
According to the police invitation dated August 11, 2026, Fadahunsi is expected to appear before the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Osogbo at 11am on Wednesday, August 12.
The letter was signed by the Commissioner of Police, Elections, Osun State, Samuel Etaifo Erale.
The police said the invitation was based on information concerning statements allegedly made by the senator during the APC campaign.
The command described the alleged remarks as potentially “threatening, inciting and intimidating” and noted that the video had been widely shared on electronic and social media platforms.
Following the controversy generated by the viral video, Senator Fadahunsi’s representatives moved to clarify what the lawmaker intended by his statement.
In a statement titled “Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence,” the senator’s team said his words were political and metaphorical and should not be interpreted as an instruction to physically attack members of the Accord Party.
According to the statement, Fadahunsi was urging APC supporters to defeat the Accord Party through their votes rather than through violence.
The senator’s camp said the message was aimed at securing an overwhelming electoral victory for the APC through peaceful, lawful and democratic participation.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Senator’s statement was purely political and metaphorical,” the statement said.
The clarification came after the video generated reactions from members of the public and political stakeholders, with concerns raised about the potential consequences of inflammatory language during an election period.
Police investigate viral campaign video
The police invitation places the controversial video under official scrutiny as security agencies intensify preparations for the Osun governorship election.
The command’s decision to invite Fadahunsi is aimed at obtaining clarification on the context and meaning of the statement attributed to him.
The development is particularly significant because statements made by prominent politicians during election campaigns can influence supporters and potentially heighten tensions between rival political groups.
The police are therefore expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the senator’s remarks and determine whether the statement constituted an offence or was simply political rhetoric, as claimed by his representatives.
The controversy comes as Osun State prepares for a closely watched governorship election.
Governor Ademola Adeleke is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party, while the APC is campaigning to take control of the state.
The two political camps have been engaged in an increasingly competitive campaign, with both parties seeking to mobilise supporters across the state’s local government areas.
Adeleke has previously accused members of the APC of using political thugs to attack his supporters. The allegations have been rejected by the APC.
With the election approaching, political observers have continued to call on candidates, party leaders and their supporters to avoid actions or statements capable of triggering violence.
The latest development has further highlighted the importance of maintaining peace before, during and after the Osun governorship election.
Security agencies have a major role to play in ensuring that political disagreements do not escalate into clashes among supporters of different parties.
The controversy surrounding Fadahunsi’s alleged statement also underscores the growing influence of social media during election campaigns.
Statements made at political gatherings can be recorded and distributed online almost immediately, sometimes reaching audiences far beyond the original setting and generating interpretations that may differ from the speaker’s intended meaning.
In Fadahunsi’s case, his representatives have insisted that the disputed remark was not a call for physical violence but a metaphorical appeal for APC supporters to defeat the Accord Party at the ballot box.
The police, however, have invited the senator to provide clarification over the statement following its widespread circulation.
Fadahunsi’s appearance before the police will provide an opportunity for investigators to hear his explanation directly and establish the context in which the controversial statement was made.
The development is likely to remain a major talking point as the August 15 election draws closer.
For now, the senator’s camp maintains that the statement was intended to encourage electoral victory through votes, while the police are examining the circumstances surrounding the remark.
As Osun voters prepare to choose their next governor, political parties and their supporters are expected to focus on peaceful campaigning, lawful participation and respect for the democratic process.
The police invitation serves as another reminder of the sensitivity surrounding political statements during an election period and the need for public figures to exercise caution in their choice of words.