Osun Governorship: Accord, Olawepo-Hashim Demand Sen Fadahunsi’s Prosecution

By Paul Uwadima, Abuja

The Accord Party has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, over an alleged inciting statement against members and supporters of the party ahead of the August 15, 2026, governorship election in Osun State.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 12, by its National Publicity Secretary, Joseph Omorogbe, the party alleged that Fadahunsi called for the killing of Accord members while addressing supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during a campaign in Ijeshaland. Accord said the alleged remarks were contained in a video that has gone viral on social media.

Similarly, the Accord Party’s presidential candidate, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has threatened to seek the arrest of Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi at the International Criminal Court over alleged incitement of political violence ahead of the Osun governorship election if the Nigerian government does not arrest and prosecute him.

Olawepo-Hashim, in a statement on the matter, warned those beating the drums of war over the Osun State governorship election to be wary of the consequences of their actions.

In its statement, Accord described the alleged statement as “outrageous and reprehensible”, arguing that it had further heightened political tension in the state just days before the governorship election. Accord said the incident reinforced its earlier claims that its members and supporters had been subjected to political violence, harassment, intimidation and arrests allegedly involving APC-linked thugs and security personnel.

Accord therefore appealed to the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to apprehend Fadahunsi and take steps to prevent what it described as possible attacks by his supporters and APC thugs.

The party also appealed to the international community, including the European Union, United States, United Kingdom, African Union and ECOWAS, to closely monitor developments in Osun State and speak out against what it described as anti-democratic activities.

Accord further alleged that more than 60 of its members had been arrested and detained in Abuja and Nasarawa State, claiming that the arrests were intended to prevent them from participating in Saturday’s election. It also alleged that the police were planning to arrest additional Accord leaders and members ahead of the poll.

“Accord prepares for an election, not war,” the party said, insisting that the political ambitions of candidates and parties should not be allowed to cost citizens their lives. It called on stakeholders to ensure that Osun voters are able to cast their ballots freely without intimidation or threats.

The party demanded a free, fair, credible, inclusive and peaceful governorship election while urging Osun residents to participate massively in the poll. Accord also called on voters to support its candidate, describing the election as a defining moment for the state.

However, Olawepo-Hashim, who is a Max Beloff 2009 Prize Winner for Global Affairs, added that “Nigeria, being a signatory to the Hague Convention, must immediately arrest and prosecute the Senator, failing which we shall activate the mechanism for an international arrest warrant at The Hague.”

According to him, “It is not the first time APC supporters would openly incite violence. Already, many Accord supporters have been killed and huge numbers wounded.”

He added that “it is also the past time of APC chieftains in many states to incite violence without restraints from the national leaders.

“We want to let everyone know that these actions would not go unpunished.”

Meanwhile, the police, according to the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), have invited the senator for “questioning” over the alleged threat.