Amnesty International Nigeria has vowed to use the lawmaker representing Osun East at the national assembly, Senator Francis Fadahunsi as a test case in its campaign against political incitement.
The rights organization said this following comments attributed to him ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
The organisation’s country director, Isa Sanusi, made this known on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, where he discussed the controversy surrounding the senator’s alleged inflammatory remarks.
Fadahunsi, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has faced widespread condemnation following the circulation of a video in which he appeared to instruct his supporters to kill members of the Accord party.
The development prompted the Osun State Police Command to summon the senator on Tuesday.
He was subsequently questioned by the police for about two hours on Wednesday.
Sanusi said Amnesty International would highlight the senator’s case across the countries where the organisation operates, insisting that such comments should not go without consequences.
“We are going to use him as an example. We have had so many terrible politicians say terrible things ahead of the election,” he said.
He described Fadahunsi’s alleged statement as particularly disturbing because of its direct reference to killing political opponents.
“But this one is exceptional, a situation where somebody came out on record, saying that ‘kill them wherever you find them’.”
According to Sanusi, Amnesty would sustain its campaign for accountability, stressing that calls capable of encouraging hatred and violence must be confronted.
“I believe that that person does not deserve any peace again, because advocacy of hatred is a crime under international law as well as Nigerian laws,” he said.
“Therefore, we are going to use this man as an example to show that the impunity by Nigerian politicians cannot continue and we cannot tolerate it again.”
The organisation had earlier, on Wednesday, condemned the remarks attributed to Fadahunsi and maintained that government authorities have a responsibility to prevent advocacy of hatred where it amounts to incitement to hostility, discrimination or violence.
Amnesty described the senator’s alleged comments as reckless and potentially capable of provoking violence ahead of the August 15 governorship poll.
“Senator Fadahunsi must be held accountable,” Amnesty said.
The controversy comes amid heightened political activities in Osun State as political parties and their supporters prepare for the governorship election.
