Amnesty International Nigeria has commenced an online petition seeking accountability for Senator Francis Fadahunsi over comments attributed to him ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
The organisation called on Nigerians to support the petition, saying the lawmaker’s alleged remarks raised serious concerns about incitement and the safety of voters in the state.
Amnesty announced the initiative on Friday in posts published on its official X account.
Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District, had recently come under criticism following the circulation of a video in which he addressed supporters in Ilesa in Yoruba.
His comments were interpreted by some observers as an instruction to supporters to attack members of the Accord Party.
Announcing the petition, Amnesty said it was aimed at ensuring that the senator faced justice over what it described as an alleged attempt to incite violence before the election.
The organisation stated, “Online petition to ensure that Sen. Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi face justice for inciting violence ahead of Osun election is ready!”
It also called for the protection of residents’ rights to participate in the election without fear or intimidation.
Amnesty said, “The human rights of the people of Osun State must be upheld and protected. People must be free to vote — without anything or anyone undermining their right to make political choices.”
The human rights group further urged the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to conduct an impartial investigation into the remarks.
It said any person found to have committed an offence should be held accountable, adding that political disagreements must not be allowed to degenerate into violence.
The controversy began after a video of Fadahunsi addressing supporters went viral on social media earlier in the week.
Following the backlash, the senator explained that his statement had been misunderstood.
Through his media office, Fadahunsi said his reference to “killing” the Accord Party was metaphorical and meant defeating the party at the polls through votes.
In a statement titled “Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence, Senator Fadahunsi Tells APC,” the senator denied encouraging physical attacks on members of the opposition party.
He subsequently urged his supporters to remain peaceful and respect the right of voters to freely choose their preferred candidates.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command invited Fadahunsi for questioning over the remarks.
The invitation directed him to appear before the State Criminal Investigation Department in Osogbo over statements the police considered potentially “threatening, inciting and intimidating.”
Fadahunsi honoured the invitation on Wednesday and reportedly spent more than two hours with investigators before leaving the command.
The police described the invitation as a preventive measure intended to reduce political tension ahead of the election.
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Amnesty’s latest move comes as Osun residents prepare to elect their governor on Saturday amid heightened concerns over political violence and intimidation.
The organisation said ensuring accountability for inflammatory political statements was essential to protecting the credibility and peaceful conduct of the election.
