The Commissioner of Police overseeing the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election, Samuel Etaifo, has explained why Senator Francis Fadahunsi was invited by the police over a controversial comment attributed to him.
Etaifo, in a statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the police were concerned about remarks allegedly made by the senator suggesting that any Accord Party member seen in Ilesa before Saturday’s governorship election should be killed.
The commissioner condemned the reported statement, saying political leaders and public officials should exercise restraint, promote peace and avoid comments capable of increasing tension during the electoral period.
He stressed that the police remained committed to neutrality, professionalism and the protection of democratic values. According to him, the command would not tolerate statements or actions capable of inciting violence, disrupting public peace or threatening the security of the state.
Etaifo said Fadahunsi was invited to explain the comment and help promote understanding in the interest of peace and security.
He also clarified that the invitation was not intended to intimidate the senator, but was part of proactive measures to prevent tensions from escalating and ensure a peaceful, free, fair and credible election.
The police commissioner urged political parties, their supporters and members of the public to remain law-abiding, avoid inflammatory statements and pursue their grievances through lawful channels.
The Osun State Police Command had earlier summoned Fadahunsi, an APC lawmaker, over the alleged threat against members of the Accord Party ahead of Saturday’s governorship election. Police spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi confirmed the development in an interview with The PUNCH.
Fadahunsi and Francis Eniade, the APC candidate for the Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo Otin Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, were both criticised after videos showing allegedly threatening remarks circulated on social media.
In one of the videos, Fadahunsi, speaking in Yoruba, reportedly warned that any Accord Party member seen in Ilesa before election day would be killed.
The senator was said to have made the remarks at the palace of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland in Ilesa during a protest over the alleged killing of three APC members in the town.
In a separate video, Eniade allegedly told non-APC supporters not to come out to vote in Odo Otin Local Government Area on election day, claiming that the votes in the area belonged to the APC.
The remarks have attracted strong reactions, including from Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, who called for Fadahunsi’s arrest and investigation.
Adeleke said the senator’s comments could trigger widespread violence and disclosed that he had contacted the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, over the matter.
The governor said the IGP confirmed that the video existed and assured him that appropriate action would be taken.
The police have meanwhile reiterated their commitment to maintaining law and order before, during and after the election, urging all political actors to put the peace and stability of Osun State above partisan interests.
