Amnesty International Nigeria has vowed to make Senator Francis Fadahunsi a key example in its campaign against political impunity and inflammatory rhetoric ahead of Saturday’s Osun governorship election.
The organisation’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi, made the statement on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday while reacting to a viral video in which Fadahunsi was allegedly heard making comments interpreted as a call to attack members of the Accord Party.
Fadahunsi has denied calling for physical violence, insisting that the viral footage was edited and that his comments referred to defeating the Accord Party at the ballot box.
Amnesty condemns alleged remarks
Sanusi said Amnesty would use the controversy to highlight what he described as the failure to hold politicians accountable for statements that could encourage electoral violence.
“We are going to use him as an example because this is the first time.”
He argued that comments allegedly calling for people to be killed should not be ignored, describing advocacy of hatred as an offence under international and Nigerian law.
Sanusi said Amnesty International Nigeria would also begin an international “name-and-shame” campaign targeting politicians who advocate electoral violence.
“We will do an international name-and-shame of those advocating for electoral violence.”
According to him, Amnesty’s presence across 150 countries would allow the organisation to raise awareness internationally and alert relevant governments about politicians accused of promoting violence.
Fadahunsi maintains his position
Fadahunsi was questioned by the police at the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo on Wednesday over the controversial video.
After the questioning, the senator maintained that he was referring to using votes to “kill” the Accord Party politically during the August 15 election, rather than physically attacking its members or their families.
Sanusi said holding politicians accountable for inflammatory statements could help discourage electoral violence and promote more peaceful elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Source: Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily; statements by Amnesty International Nigeria Country Director Isa Sanusi and Senator Francis Fadahunsi.
