The Osun State Police Command has summoned Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, over a controversial comment contained in a viral video ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
Fadahunsi, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), came under scrutiny after footage circulated on social media in which he was reportedly heard using the expression “kill Accord” while addressing supporters in Ilesa.
The remark triggered reactions from political stakeholders, particularly because it surfaced just three days before the August 15, 2026, Osun governorship election, which is expected to be closely contested.
Confirming the police action, Command spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi said the senator had been invited by the Commissioner of Police overseeing security arrangements for the election, Samuel Etaifo.
The invitation followed concerns that the statement could be interpreted as an incitement to violence against supporters of the Accord Party, whose candidate is the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Reports indicate that Fadahunsi made the disputed remarks in Ilesa during a gathering connected to protests over the alleged killing of three APC members.
The video subsequently went viral, prompting calls for restraint from political actors and raising fresh concerns about the tone of political campaigns in the final days before the election.
Fadahunsi, however, has rejected the interpretation that he was calling for the physical killing of Accord Party members.
In his clarification, the senator said he used the word “kill” in a political context, meaning that APC supporters should defeat the Accord Party through their votes during the election.
His explanation came as the police began examining the circumstances surrounding the statement and its potential implications for public order.
The development has added to growing concerns about inflammatory political rhetoric as parties intensify their final mobilisation across Osun.
Governor Adeleke is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party, while the APC and other political parties are working to win support across the state’s three senatorial districts.
The police have continued to urge political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct themselves responsibly and avoid statements or actions capable of provoking violence before, during or after the election.
The summons, however, does not in itself establish that Fadahunsi committed a criminal offence. It gives the police an opportunity to question the senator, establish the context of the disputed remarks and determine whether any law was breached.
As of Wednesday, August 12, the matter remained under police scrutiny, with only three days left before voters across Osun go to the polls.
The controversy has further placed the spotlight on political communication and election security, with stakeholders urging contestants to allow voters to make their choices peacefully.
Authorities are expected to maintain heightened security across the state as the election approaches, while political parties enter the final phase of their campaigns and voter mobilisation.
The police investigation and any subsequent action against Fadahunsi are expected to be closely monitored as Osun prepares for the August 15 governorship poll.
