By Sunday Ameh
The Imole Campaign Council, TICC, has called for the arrest and prosecution of Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi over alleged threats against members and supporters of the Accord Party in Ijeshaland, Osun State.
The campaign council made the demand in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Chairman, Media and Publicity, Bamidele Salam.
The council’s call followed a trending video purportedly showing Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District, allegedly inciting members of the All Progressives Congress against Accord supporters ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
According to TICC, the senator was allegedly heard urging APC supporters to attack Accord members wherever they were found in Ijeshaland.
The campaign council said it was “gravely alarmed and disturbed” by the video, describing the alleged remarks as an open incitement to violence and a threat to the lives of Accord supporters and their families.
TICC further alleged that the development corroborated information it had received concerning the alleged movement of thugs, hoodlums and individuals purportedly impersonating police officers into Ilase, Fadahunsi’s hometown, and other communities across Obokun, Oriade, Ilesa East, Ilesa West, Atakumosa East and Atakumosa West Local Government Areas.
The council also alleged that Fadahunsi referred to “federal might” while threatening that Accord supporters would be prevented from voting, even if they presented their Permanent Voter Cards at polling units during Saturday’s election.
Describing the allegation as particularly serious because Fadahunsi is a serving National Assembly member, the campaign council said the senator had a constitutional responsibility to uphold the rule of law.
“We feel compelled to demand that the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services order the arrest of Senator Fadahunsi and prosecute him in accordance with relevant laws of the Federation,” the council said.
TICC also called on security agencies deployed for the election to pay particular attention to the six local government areas in Ijeshaland to ensure the safety of voters, political supporters and residents.
The council urged the security agencies to investigate alleged reports of armed thugs and fake policemen being quartered in Ilase and other parts of Ijeshaland.
It also raised allegations concerning the activities of the Intelligence Response Team, IRT, claiming that an aide of Fadahunsi identified as ASP Wemimo had led IRT operatives to the homes of Accord leaders in the area in recent weeks.
The council further alleged that its House of Representatives candidate, Alaba Popoola, was abducted by the team on Fadahunsi’s alleged instruction and remained in police custody.
TICC warned that it would hold Fadahunsi accountable for any violence allegedly directed at Accord members in Ijeshaland and other parts of Osun State.
The campaign council, however, urged residents to remain calm and peaceful, stressing the importance of exercising their constitutional right to vote in Saturday’s governorship election.
The allegations made by the campaign council had not been independently verified as of the time of filing this report, while Fadahunsi was not quoted in the statement as responding to the allegations.
The development comes just days before the August 15 Osun governorship election, amid heightened political tensions and competing allegations of intimidation and violence among supporters of the major political parties.
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