Inibehe Effiong: Police Failure to Prosecute Fadahunsi Endorses Anarchy Under Tinubu
Abuja / Osogbo – August 13, 2026 — Prominent human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has strongly condemned the Nigeria Police Force for failing to prosecute Senator Francis Fadahunsi over remarks in a viral video that he described as a call to kill members of the Accord Party ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
Effiong argued that the police’s decision to question and release the lawmaker without further action amounts to an official endorsement of anarchy by the Bola Tinubu administration and sends a dangerous signal that some individuals are above the law.
What the Viral Video Contained
In the widely circulated footage, Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was seen addressing supporters in Ilesa.
Speaking in Yoruba, he allegedly instructed them to “kill” any Accord Party members they encountered before the August 15 poll, adding that the party’s members “have wives and children too.”
The senator later clarified through his media office that the statement was purely metaphorical—a call to defeat the Accord Party overwhelmingly at the ballot box through lawful and peaceful means.
He maintained that the video had been selectively interpreted or manipulated.
Effiong’s Strong Rebuke
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Effiong described Fadahunsi’s original remarks as “highly unfortunate, condemnable, reckless and irresponsible.”
He rejected the senator’s explanation as “pedestrian, childish and feeble.”
The lawyer warned that the comments risked escalating political tensions, intimidating voters, reducing turnout, and undermining the credibility of the electoral process.
He noted that the Osun State Police Command’s Criminal Investigation Department invited Fadahunsi for questioning and subsequently released him—a move Effiong said showed the command had “already taken sides.”
“This will be interpreted by well-meaning Nigerians as an official endorsement of anarchy and a dangerous signal that certain individuals are above the law,” Effiong stated.
He called on Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu to immediately prosecute the senator to demonstrate genuine commitment to a free, fair and credible election.
Wider Reactions and Legal Moves
The Accord Party has also demanded Fadahunsi’s arrest and prosecution, describing the comments as “outrageous and reprehensible.”
The party alleged that dozens of its members had already been arrested and detained in Abuja and Nasarawa State in an apparent bid to prevent their participation in the election.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Government, through the Attorney General, approached the High Court seeking an order of mandamus to compel the Inspector General of Police and the state Commissioner of Police to thoroughly investigate the video, preserve forensic evidence, and take appropriate action if offences are established.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) similarly condemned the remarks as “a licence to kill” and urged the Senate to suspend Fadahunsi pending investigation while calling on security agencies to act decisively.
Stakes Ahead of Saturday’s Poll
With the Osun governorship election just days away, the controversy has heightened concerns about political violence and the impartiality of security agencies.
Effiong and other stakeholders insist that swift, transparent prosecution — or a clear public explanation of why charges are not being pursued — is essential to protect public confidence in both the police and the electoral process.
As security agencies continue to monitor the situation, the coming days will test whether inflammatory rhetoric is met with equal accountability, regardless of political affiliation.
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