The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for the immediate suspension, arrest and investigation of Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi representing Osun East Senatorial District, over alleged inciting comments purportedly directing supporters to kill members of the Accord Party ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election.

The commission warned that allowing the alleged remarks to go unchecked could trigger electoral violence and bloodshed, urging the Senate leadership, police and Department of State Services (DSS) to act immediately before the situation escalates.

The NHRC also directed the leadership of all political parties to warn their members against making hateful, inciting, threatening or violence-inducing statements ahead of the Osun election and other forthcoming elections in the country.

In a statement issued by its Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Tony Ojukwu, the commission said any candidate or party member who violates such directives should be publicly called out and handed over to law enforcement authorities for investigation and prosecution in accordance with the law.

The commission’s demand followed the circulation of a viral video in which a person identified as Senator Fadahunsi was allegedly heard directing his supporters to kill members of the Accord Party whenever they encountered them.

The statement attributed to the senator in the video was translated as saying, “From now on, whenever you see Accord members, kill them. I authorise you to kill them. They have wives and children too. This is a Federal Government election. On election day, even if they come with voter cards, we won’t allow them to vote.”

Reacting to the alleged statement, Ojukwu described it as a potential incitement to murder, electoral violence and voter intimidation, stressing that such rhetoric should not be tolerated in a democratic society governed by the rule of law.

“This is not politics. This is a licence to kill. A public officer who tells citizens to murder other citizens because of party affiliation must not be allowed to remain in office for one more day,” Ojukwu said.

He called on the leadership of the National Assembly to immediately suspend Fadahunsi from legislative duties pending the conclusion of an investigation into the allegations.

“The Senate leadership is hereby called upon to suspend Senator Fadahunsi immediately pending conclusive investigation by the police.

“The Police and DSS must also arrest, investigate and prosecute him now. We cannot wait until blood is spilled in Osun before we act. Prevention is the duty of the state and the leadership of the NASS is part of the state,” he said.

The NHRC said the alleged comments were particularly disturbing because they came only days before the August 15 governorship election, warning that inflammatory political rhetoric by public officials could embolden supporters and create an atmosphere of fear, intimidation and violence.

According to the commission, the gravity of the allegations requires urgent investigation by the appropriate security agencies, with all parties given due process under the law.

It, therefore, called for the immediate suspension of Senator Fadahunsi from all Senate duties pending investigation, while urging the police and DSS to establish the authenticity, context and circumstances surrounding the viral video and take appropriate legal action where necessary.

The commission further appealed to political parties and their supporters to pursue their electoral ambitions through lawful and peaceful means, warning against statements capable of provoking violence or undermining citizens’ constitutional rights to vote freely.

It also urged residents of Osun State to remain calm and resist attempts by political actors or their supporters to provoke violence before, during and after the election.

The NHRC disclosed that it had established a situation room to receive, document and respond to reports of human rights violations, threats and other incidents during the election period.

It urged citizens who receive threats or witness acts capable of disrupting the election to report them promptly to the commission and relevant security authorities.

The commission stressed that the right to participate in an election, cast a ballot and support a political party of one’s choice is protected by Nigeria’s constitutional and electoral framework, and must not be violated through threats, intimidation or violence.