The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the National Assembly to immediately suspend Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, over alleged remarks directing members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to kill Accord Party members in Ilesha ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship poll. 

The human right commission, in a statement on Wednesday by its executive secretary, Tony Ojukwu, called on the Nigeria Police Force and State Security Service (SSS) to arrest and investigate the lawmaker.

The NHRC boss described the lawmaker’s statement as a potential incitement to murder, electoral violence and voter intimidation.

Mr Ojukwu stated, “This is not politics. This is a licence to kill. A public officer who tells citizens to murder other citizens because of party affiliation must not be allowed to remain in office for one more day.”

“The police and DSS must also arrest, investigate and prosecute him now. We cannot wait until blood is spilled in Osun before we act. Prevention is the duty of the state and the leadership of the NASS is part of the state,” he said.

The commission urged relevant security agencies to establish the authenticity, context and circumstances surrounding the lawmaker’s statement and take appropriate legal action where necessary.

Mr Ojukwu warned that failure to investigate the alleged remarks by the lawmaker could provoke electoral violence and bloodshed in the build-up, during and after the election.

The human right commission called on political parties’ leaders in the state to warn their members against hateful, inciting, threatening or violence-induced statements ahead of the poll.

The commission stated that candidates or party members who violate the principle of responsible communication should be publicly called out and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The NHRC said it established a situation room to receive, document and respond to human right violations reports, threats and related incidents during the state’s election period.

The agency emphasised that every eligible Nigerian has the right to participate in an election, vote and support the political party of their choice.

Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Fadahunsi, told his supporters to kill any Accord Party member found in Ilesa “from now on to the day of the election.”

“If you see any Accord Party member in Ilesa from now on to the day of the election, kill them,” the lawmaker said.

Mr Fadahunsi, who appeared on Channels TV after the video of his statement went viral, recanted that he was misinterpreted.

“I told them this shows that they are weak and cannot win. They should shut them down by their votes; they should kill them by their votes.

“The video was deliberately edited to distort what I actually said. What I said was that if the alleged killing of our party members by Accord Party thugs does not stop, our party will retaliate.

“I was referring to the continued violence and attacks against our members in Ilesa and other parts of the state,” the senator said.