The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the National Assembly to suspend Senator Francis Fadahunsi of Osun East Senatorial District over an alleged comment calling for the killing of members of the Accord Party ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu, the commission also asked the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest, investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute the senator over the alleged remarks.
The NHRC described the statement attributed to Mr Fadahunsi as a possible incitement to murder, electoral violence and voter intimidation. It warned that allowing such remarks to go uninvestigated could heighten tensions and trigger violence before, during or after the election.
Mr Ojukwu said public officials should not encourage citizens to attack others because of their political affiliations, stressing that the state has a responsibility to prevent violence before lives are lost.
The commission therefore called on security agencies to determine whether the video and statement attributed to the senator were authentic and establish the circumstances surrounding them before taking necessary legal action.
It also appealed to political party leaders in Osun to caution their supporters against making threatening, hateful or provocative statements that could endanger the electoral process.
According to the NHRC, political actors found guilty of promoting violence through irresponsible communication should be publicly condemned and prosecuted in line with the law.
The commission further disclosed that it had activated a situation room to receive and document reports of human rights violations, threats and other incidents throughout the election period.
It reiterated that every eligible Nigerian has the constitutional right to participate in elections, cast a ballot and support any political party of their choice without intimidation or violence.
The controversy followed a statement allegedly made by Senator Fadahunsi on Tuesday, in which he reportedly told his supporters to kill any Accord Party member found in Ilesa between then and election day.
After the video circulated widely, the senator appeared on Channels Television and said his comments had been misunderstood. He maintained that he was referring to defeating the opposition through votes and alleged retaliation against APC members if attacks on them continued.
Fadahunsi also claimed that the video had been edited to misrepresent his remarks, insisting that his comments were made in the context of alleged attacks on APC supporters in Ilesa and other parts of Osun State.