The Social-Economic and Civic Rights Advocacy (SECRA) has called for an immediate investigation into alleged incendiary remarks attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, at a political gathering in Ilesa ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Executive Director, Comrade Olowu Emmanuel Aiyedun, SECRA said it was concerned about the timing and content of the remarks, particularly coming four days before the August 15 election and amid heightened political tension in parts of the state.

The organisation said a video circulating online showed Fadahunsi making statements which it interpreted as potentially threatening to members and supporters of the Accord Party.

SECRA particularly drew attention to a portion of the alleged remarks in which the senator was heard saying: “Till the day of election, if we see them, it is killing.”

The organisation also cited the Yoruba rendering of the statement, which it translated as referring to killing if members of the Accord Party were seen before the election.

According to SECRA, regardless of the intended meaning of the statement, such language from a serving senator could heighten fear and apprehension among political opponents and residents, particularly in an already sensitive electoral environment.

The group stressed that Fadahunsi’s position as a serving senator and influential political figure made it necessary for him to exercise restraint in his public utterances.

“Political leaders must understand that political language has consequences,” SECRA said, urging political actors to reassure citizens and make it clear that political disagreements must be resolved through the ballot.

The organisation, however, acknowledged Fadahunsi’s subsequent clarification that his reference to “killing Accord” was intended to mean defeating the Accord Party politically through votes rather than physically harming its members.

SECRA said the clarification should not prevent the relevant authorities from reviewing the complete video and investigating the circumstances surrounding the remarks, including the context and possible interpretation of the words.

It stressed that its demand was not for the senator to be convicted through the media but for an impartial investigation to establish whether any law had been breached and to prevent the remarks from being misunderstood or exploited by political supporters.

The group also urged security agencies to strengthen preventive measures across Ilesa and other identified political flashpoints while maintaining political neutrality and providing equal protection to all political parties and citizens.

SECRA called on the Inspector-General of Police to urgently review the video and investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged remarks. It also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reinforce its engagement with political parties and candidates on peaceful electoral participation.

The organisation further appealed to traditional rulers, community and religious leaders in Ijesaland to use their influence to reduce political tension and protect lives and property before, during and after the election.

SECRA also called on all political leaders and their supporters to reject violence, intimidation, threats and retaliation, insisting that every voter, regardless of political affiliation, must be allowed to exercise their constitutional right freely and peacefully.

The organisation said it would monitor and document incidents of political violence in the Ilesa axis before, during and for three months after the August 15 election.

It maintained that the people of Osun State should be allowed to choose their governor through the ballot box, urging security agencies to protect every voter, candidate and political party equally and ensure that no individual or group takes the law into its own hands.

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