Amnesty International Nigeria has announced plans to intensify its campaign against politicians accused of making inflammatory statements capable of triggering electoral violence, with Senator Francis Fadahunsi becoming a key focus of the organisation’s efforts.
The organisation’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi, disclosed this on Thursday while reacting to the controversy surrounding a viral video allegedly showing Fadahunsi calling for the killing of members of the Accord Party ahead of the Osun State governorship election.
Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has denied calling for physical attacks on members or supporters of the party.
The senator said his remarks were taken out of context after the video was edited, explaining that his reference to “killing” the Accord Party was political and meant defeating the party at the polls.
However, Sanusi condemned the alleged remarks and said Amnesty International would use the controversy to push for greater accountability among political actors whose statements could encourage electoral violence.
“We are going to use him as an example because this is the first time. We had so many other terrible politicians say terrible things ahead of elections, but this one is exceptional,” Sanusi said during a television interview on Thursday.
He argued that an alleged directive to “kill them wherever you find them” was unacceptable political rhetoric, stressing that advocacy of hatred is prohibited under Nigerian and international law.
Sanusi further disclosed that Amnesty International would extend its campaign beyond Nigeria by using its international network to expose politicians accused of promoting electoral violence.
“We will do an international name-and-shame of those advocating for electoral violence. Amnesty International has branches in 150 countries. We will ensure they are named and shamed in those countries and alert their governments to how dangerous these people are,” he said.
According to Sanusi, stronger accountability for politicians who make inflammatory statements is necessary to prevent election-related violence and promote responsible political conduct ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The controversy has intensified in the final days of the Osun governorship election, with Fadahunsi summoned by the police over the viral video.
He appeared at the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo on Wednesday for questioning and was later released.
Speaking to journalists after the session, Fadahunsi again denied calling for physical attacks against his political opponents.
He maintained that his use of the word “killing” was a metaphor for defeating the Accord Party at the ballot box and was not directed at its members, supporters or their families.
The development has heightened concerns over the use of inflammatory language by political actors as parties mobilise supporters for the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
