Civil society organizations, including ActionAid Nigeria and The Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, have urged for a comprehensive investigation into allegations of inciting violence against Senator Francis Fadahunsi. The senator is accused of making inflammatory statements during the lead-up to the recent Osun State governorship election, which took place on Saturday.

During a press conference held in Abuja, the organizations praised the resilience of Osun voters and the overall conduct of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). However, they expressed serious concern over remarks allegedly made by Fadahunsi, who represents the Osun East Senatorial District. Reports indicate that he was heard instructing his supporters in Yoruba to confront and attack members of the Accord Party, including voters.

Dr. Andrew Mamedu, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, and Dr. Sam Amadi, Director of The Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating that any verified threats against citizens based on their political affiliations should be addressed with utmost seriousness by law enforcement. They called upon the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the allegations thoroughly and take appropriate legal action if sufficient evidence is found.

The organizations commended the people of Osun State for their participation in the election, noting that voter turnout was encouraging despite the fact that nearly one million voters who collected their Permanent Voter Cards did not cast their votes. They suggested that the violence and inflammatory rhetoric preceding the election may have contributed to this voter apathy.

Fadahunsi's alleged comments have raised alarms about the normalization of violent rhetoric in Nigerian politics. The civil society groups emphasized that political leaders must promote peaceful participation and exercise restraint, regardless of their party affiliations. They asserted that the failure to investigate and prosecute electoral offences fosters a culture of impunity, which could lead to increased electoral violence.

The organizations also called on the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that the investigation is conducted transparently and without political interference. They urged that if evidence of wrongdoing is established, the case should be forwarded to the appropriate prosecutorial authorities. Furthermore, they appealed to the Attorney-General of the Federation to uphold the rule of law and ensure that violations are addressed impartially.

As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, the civil society groups stressed the importance of sending a clear message to political actors that threats and violations of citizens' rights will not be tolerated. They reiterated that concerns over inflammatory rhetoric are not limited to any single political party or individual, urging a consistent confrontation of such actions across the political spectrum.

The rights to freedom of movement, association, expression, and political participation must be protected for all Nigerians, they concluded, calling for collective efforts from political parties, security agencies, and civil society to ensure a peaceful electoral environment in the upcoming elections.