Opposition leader and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has demanded the immediate suspension and arrest of Senator Francis Fadahunsi over alleged inflammatory remarks capable of triggering violence ahead of the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
Frank said the alleged comments, contained in a video circulating online, constitute a serious threat to electoral peace and should not be dismissed because they were allegedly made by a serving senator.
He therefore challenged the security agencies to immediately investigate the senator and, where the allegations are established, prosecute him in accordance with the law.
In the video, Fadahunsi, speaking in Yoruba, was allegedly heard accusing members of the Accord Party of attacking APC supporters and calling on those at the gathering to confront Accord supporters in Ilesa.
Reacting in a statement on Wednesday, Frank described the alleged remarks as reckless, provocative and capable of setting the stage for political violence in Osun.
He called on the Senate leadership to immediately suspend Fadahunsi pending investigation, arguing that the National Assembly cannot preach democratic values while appearing indifferent to statements allegedly capable of inciting supporters against political opponents.
Frank said the issue should be treated as a national security concern because inflammatory rhetoric from influential political actors can rapidly translate into violence at the grassroots, particularly during an election season.
He also accused the ruling APC and the Presidency of maintaining an unacceptable silence over the matter and demanded equal treatment of politicians across party lines.
Frank questioned the government’s handling of similar allegations involving opposition politicians, citing the reported detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as an example of what he described as selective enforcement.
He said no serving senator should enjoy political immunity where there are credible allegations that his words could endanger public peace.
Frank further warned that the controversy surrounding Fadahunsi should not be viewed in isolation, saying it raises disturbing questions about the political atmosphere ahead of the 2026 Osun election and, ultimately, the 2027 general elections.
He called on the United States Government, United Kingdom, European Union and other members of the international community to closely monitor the conduct of the Osun election, particularly the activities of political actors and security agencies.
Frank urged international partners to pay attention to any attempt to intimidate voters, suppress opposition parties, manipulate the electoral process or deploy security agencies for partisan purposes.
He stressed that the Osun election must be conducted in a manner that allows voters to freely determine their government without fear, intimidation or violence.
According to him, the electorate must not be frightened into silence by inflammatory political rhetoric.
Frank urged the people of Osun State to remain vigilant, participate massively in the election and defend their votes through lawful and democratic means.
He equally warned political parties and their supporters against retaliatory violence, stressing that democracy cannot survive where elections become contests of intimidation and physical force.
Frank called on the police, Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to remain neutral, professional and non-partisan before, during and after the election.
He warned against the alleged practice of using security agencies to intimidate opposition politicians and supporters while protecting members of the ruling party.
The opposition leader said any individual found to have encouraged, organised or participated in electoral violence should be held accountable regardless of political status.
He further warned that if violence occurs in Osun as a consequence of inflammatory political activities, those responsible must be identified and prosecuted.
Frank maintained that the Osun election must not become another test of Nigeria’s tolerance for electoral impunity, stressing that the credibility of the poll will have implications far beyond the state.
He said the election could serve as an early warning signal of what Nigerians should expect in 2027, adding that any attempt to manipulate the will of the Osun electorate would further erode confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.
Frank therefore urged the Federal Government, INEC, security agencies, political parties and international observers to work collectively to ensure that the 2026 Osun governorship election is free, fair, peaceful, transparent and credible.
