Amnesty: Fadahunsi’s Remarks Must Not Go Unpunished

Amnesty International Nigeria has vowed to pursue accountability over comments attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election.

The organisation’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi, said political figures must be held responsible for statements capable of encouraging violence or undermining peaceful electoral participation.

Sanusi made the remarks on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday while discussing a viral video in which Fadahunsi, an All Progressives Congress senator representing Osun East, was accused of making inciting comments.

According to Sanusi, the organisation intends to use the case to demonstrate that alleged political incitement should not be allowed to go unpunished.

“We are going to use him as an example. We have had so many terrible politicians say terrible things ahead of the election,” Sanusi said.

He described the alleged statement as particularly serious because, according to him, Fadahunsi was recorded making comments interpreted as encouraging attacks against political opponents.

The controversy has intensified concerns about political violence ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, which has already been preceded by heightened security deployment across the state.

Following the circulation of the video, the Osun State Police Command invited Fadahunsi for questioning. The senator subsequently appeared before the police and was interrogated for about two hours.

Sanusi said Amnesty International would continue pushing for accountability and would also draw international attention to the matter.

He argued that advocacy of hatred and incitement to violence should be treated seriously under Nigerian law and international human rights standards.

Amnesty International Nigeria had earlier condemned the remarks, describing them as reckless and warning that such statements could heighten tension during the election period.

The organisation said authorities have a responsibility to prevent advocacy of hatred where it amounts to incitement to hostility, discrimination or violence.

Sanusi maintained that political leaders should understand the consequences of their public statements, particularly during sensitive electoral periods when inflammatory rhetoric can increase tensions among supporters.

“Senator Fadahunsi must be held accountable,” Amnesty International Nigeria said, insisting that political influence should not shield individuals from responsibility for potentially dangerous remarks.

The organisation said it would continue monitoring developments and urging relevant authorities to take appropriate action.