Omanghana
Amnesty International Nigeria has vowed to launch an international “name-and-shame” campaign against Senator Francis Fadahunsi over comments allegedly encouraging violence ahead of the Osun State governorship election.
Fadahunsi, who represents the Osun East Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, came under intense criticism after a campaign video circulated online. In the footage, he was allegedly heard directing supporters to “kill” members of the Accord Party wherever they found them.
However, the senator has denied calling for physical attacks. He maintained that his comments referred to defeating—or “killing”—the Accord Party with votes during the August 15, 2026, governorship election. He also claimed that the circulating video had been edited to misrepresent his message.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, August 13, Amnesty International Nigeria Country Director Isa Sanusi said the organisation would use Fadahunsi’s case to challenge inflammatory political rhetoric and the culture of impunity among Nigerian politicians.
Sanusi described the alleged statement as exceptional and warned that comments capable of encouraging electoral violence must not be tolerated.
According to him, Amnesty International operates across 150 countries and intends to ensure that politicians accused of promoting violence are publicly identified internationally. The organisation also plans to alert foreign governments about political figures it considers dangerous.
“We will do an international name-and-shame of those advocating for electoral violence,” Sanusi said, adding that politicians must be held accountable when the government fails to act.
Amnesty International Nigeria had earlier condemned the alleged remarks and called on Nigerian authorities to take urgent action against statements promoting hostility, discrimination or violence.
The organisation argued that advocacy of hatred and incitement to violence are prohibited under Nigerian and international law. It insisted that Fadahunsi must be held accountable if investigations establish that the comments attributed to him were intended to encourage attacks.
The Osun State Police Command summoned the senator on Tuesday and reportedly questioned him for about two hours on Wednesday over the controversial video.
Amnesty International said the case would form part of its broader campaign to discourage inflammatory political statements ahead of the Osun election and Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The controversy comes amid growing concerns about hate speech, intimidation and possible violence ahead of the governorship poll. Election observers and other stakeholders have continued to urge political leaders and their supporters to avoid language capable of threatening a peaceful electoral process.
Source: Omanghana
