Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, has denied calling on his supporters to attack or kill members of the Accord Party and their relatives, saying a viral video was edited to give his comments a different meaning.
Fadahunsi made the clarification on Wednesday after appearing before the police at the Osun State Command in Osogbo for questioning over the controversial recording.
The senator spoke to journalists after a closed-door session with investigators at the command’s Criminal Investigation Department.
He said his comment was about defeating the Accord Party with votes during Saturday’s governorship election, rather than physically harming its members.
According to Fadahunsi, his words in Yoruba were taken out of context and wrongly interpreted.
He argued that the complete recording, which he said lasted about 38 minutes, would show what he actually meant.
The lawmaker also said he was prepared to explore legal options over what he described as the alleged manipulation and misrepresentation of his remarks.
Fadahunsi further raised concerns about recent killings in Osun East, claiming that attacks on members of the All Progressives Congress were intended to frighten voters and discourage them from participating in the election.
He said his comments were made in the context of the alleged attacks on APC supporters in Ilesa and other parts of the state.
The senator arrived at the police headquarters at about 2:35 p.m., accompanied by the Commissioner of Police responsible for election and security matters, Samuel Erale.
His invitation followed the circulation of the video in which he was accused of making inflammatory comments against members of the Accord Party and their families.
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke had earlier called for Fadahunsi’s arrest, accusing him of making statements capable of inciting violence and genocide against Accord supporters.
Adeleke described the alleged remarks as a national security concern and demanded a full investigation.
Amnesty International also weighed in on Wednesday, urging authorities to take action over what it described as comments allegedly directing supporters to kill Accord Party members ahead of the August 15 election.
The organisation said statements promoting violence should be condemned, regardless of whether they are made physically or through online platforms, and called for Fadahunsi to be held accountable.
Meanwhile, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Iniedu Okokon, confirmed that Fadahunsi had been questioned by the police.
Okokon said the investigation was still ongoing and that the outcome would be communicated to the public once the process is concluded.
He also assured residents that adequate security arrangements had been deployed across Osun State to protect voters and electoral officials during Saturday’s governorship election.
