The Osun Police Command has summoned the lawmaker representing Osun East Senatorial District, Francis Fadahunsi, over his alleged comment directing supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to “kill” members of the rival Accord Party during the state governorship election.
The command invited Fadahunsi to clarify the circumstances surrounding the statements made during a political rally in the state.
The summons, disclosed by the Police spokesman, Abiodun Ojelabi, on Wednesday, followed the circulation of a video on social media in which the senator, while speaking in Yoruba during an All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign in Ilesa on yesterday allegedly made the controversial remarks.
Ojelabi, who spoke on a popular television programme, added that the invitation was issued through a letter signed by the Commissioner of Police, Elections, Osun State, Samuel Etaifo Erale.
According to the spokesman, the senator has been directed to report to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Osogbo, at 11am on Wednesday, August 12.
He explained that the invite was based on information available to the police alleging that Fadahunsi made statements considered “threatening, inciting and intimidating” during the campaign.
He added that the alleged statement had been circulated on various electronic and social media platforms.
Clarifying his statement, the lawmaker said his comment was misinterpreted, saying he was calling on APC supporters to defeat the Accord Party through the ballot box.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Senator’s statement was purely political and metaphorical,” the statement said.
He noted that the call was to his supporters to “overwhelmingly reject the Accord Party at the ballot box through lawful, peaceful and democratic means” during the August 15 governorship election.
The controversy comes amid heightened political activities ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, in which incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party.