The Imole Campaign Council (TICC) has called for the arrest and prosecution of the Senator representing Osun East Senatorial District, Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, over a trending video which it alleged showed him inciting members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to kill Accord Party members and supporters in Ijesaland.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Media and Publicity, Rep. Bamidele Salam, on Tuesday, the campaign council said the video had been confirmed by several persons and described it as a confirmation of information it had gathered in recent weeks about the alleged importation of thugs, hoodlums and fake policemen into Ilase and other parts of Obokun, Oriade, Ilesa East and West, and Atakumosa East and West local government areas.
The council condemned what it described as an open incitement to kill, alleging that Fadahunsi also threatened the lives of family members of Accord supporters and invoked “federal might” to threaten that his thugs would prevent Accord members from voting even if they presented their voters’ cards at polling units on Saturday.
TICC, describing Fadahunsi as a serving member of the National Assembly who swore to uphold the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services to order his arrest and prosecute him in accordance with relevant laws.
The campaign council also urged all security formations responsible for the conduct of Saturday’s election to pay particular attention to the six local government areas in Ijesaland to protect the lives of political party members and other law-abiding citizens exercising their franchise.
It further called on security agencies to flush out alleged armed thugs and fake policemen whom it claimed had been quartered in Ilase Ijesha and other parts of Ijesaland.
The council said it would hold Fadahunsi responsible for any act of violence against Accord members in Ijesaland and other parts of the state, adding that it would take lawful steps to make him account for any acts of killing and violence in accordance with local and international law.
TICC also drew the attention of the Inspector-General of Police to the operations of the IRT unit, alleging that Fadahunsi had repeatedly boasted of using the unit to harass, intimidate and arrest Accord leaders.
It alleged that an aide of the senator, identified as ASP Wemimo, had led IRT personnel to the homes of Accord leaders in Ijesaland in recent weeks. The council also alleged that its House of Representatives candidate, Alaba Popoola, who was abducted by the team on the instructions of Fadahunsi, had yet to be released by the police.
While urging law-abiding citizens in Ijesaland to remain peaceful, the campaign council called on them to defy the alleged threat and come out en masse to vote for the party of their choice in Saturday’s governorship election.
