The Imole Campaign Council (TICC) has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Senator Francis Fadahunsi over an alleged threat to kill members and supporters of the Accord Party ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
The campaign council made the demand in a statement signed by its Chairman, Media and Publicity, Rep. Bamidele Salam, on Tuesday, following the circulation of a video purportedly showing Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District, making inflammatory remarks against members of the Accord Party.
According to the council, the senator was allegedly heard in the video inciting members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to attack or kill Accord supporters found in Ijeshaland.
TICC described the alleged remarks as “despicable and condemnable,” expressing concern that they could heighten tension and trigger violence in the affected communities ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The council also alleged that thugs, hoodlums and persons posing as police officers had been brought into Ilase, said to be Fadahunsi’s hometown, as well as parts of Obokun, Oriade, Ilesa East, Ilesa West, Atakumosa East and Atakumosa West Local Government Areas.
It further alleged that Fadahunsi had boasted of having access to federal might and threatened to prevent Accord members from voting even if they presented their Permanent Voter Cards at polling units on election day.
TICC urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the alleged remarks and, if found culpable, arrest and prosecute the senator in accordance with the law.
The campaign council also called on security agencies deployed for the election to pay particular attention to the six local government areas in Ijeshaland, stressing the need to protect voters, party supporters and other residents exercising their constitutional rights.
The council further alleged that armed thugs and fake policemen were being quartered in Ilase and other parts of Ijeshaland, urging security agencies to investigate and take appropriate action where necessary.
TICC said it would hold Senator Fadahunsi accountable for any violence perpetrated against Accord members in Ijeshaland or elsewhere in Osun State, adding that it would pursue “all lawful steps” to ensure accountability.
The council also raised allegations concerning the activities of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), claiming that personnel had allegedly been used to harass and arrest some Accord leaders in Ijeshaland.
It specifically alleged that an aide of the senator identified as ASP Wemimo had led IRT personnel to the homes of some Accord leaders in recent weeks, while alleging that the party’s House of Representatives candidate, Alaba Popoola, was abducted by the team and had yet to be released by the police.
The campaign council, however, urged residents of Ijeshaland to remain peaceful and law-abiding, while calling on voters to come out en masse on Saturday and exercise their franchise without fear.
