The Save Democracy Group, a bipartisan platform of members of the House of Representatives, has called for a full investigation into the violence and deaths linked to the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
The lawmakers warned that political competition must never become a justification for the loss of lives, while also demanding an investigation into a viral video allegedly showing Senator Francis Fadahunsi making comments interpreted as encouraging supporters to attack members of the Accord Party in Ilesa.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, and signed by the group’s leader, Awaji-Inombek Abiante (NDC, Rivers), Abubakar Kusada (APC, Katsina), and Mansur Jega (ADC, Kebbi), the lawmakers said every death resulting from political violence must be investigated, and anyone found responsible should face justice.
The group commended Osun voters for exercising their democratic rights despite the tension, intimidation, and violence reported before the election.
However, it expressed concern over the scale of violence recorded during the election build-up and on polling day. The lawmakers noted that the Nigeria Police Force had said in July that it was investigating 30 suspected politically motivated killings connected to the election.
The group also cited civil society reports documenting 56 politically related violent incidents and 14 fatalities.
It further recalled that, on August 13, two days before the election, a resident of Esa-Oke was reportedly killed, while another person was injured in a shooting.
“These figures represent human beings — fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, political supporters and ordinary citizens whose lives should never have been sacrificed for political ambition,” the lawmakers said.
Reps Demand Investigation Into Fadahunsi
The lawmakers specifically called for an investigation into the alleged comments attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi, stressing that political leaders must be held accountable for statements capable of escalating an already volatile environment.
Fadahunsi has reportedly denied inciting violence. However, the Save Democracy Group said the denial should not prevent relevant authorities from independently examining the video, its context, and the circumstances surrounding the remarks.
The group urged the Inspector-General of Police, Department of State Services, National Human Rights Commission, and other relevant authorities to investigate the matter and determine whether any law was breached.
It said that where evidence establishes that an offence was committed, Fadahunsi, like any other Nigerian, should be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The lawmakers also called on relevant domestic and international legal authorities to determine whether any conduct established by credible evidence could meet applicable international criminal-law standards.
Group Questions Osun Security Deployment
Beyond the reported election violence, the lawmakers questioned what they described as the unprecedented scale of security deployment for the Osun governorship election.
While acknowledging that Osun’s history of political violence justified adequate security preparations, the group asked the Federal Government to explain the criteria used to determine the size and composition of the deployment.
It argued that security must be based on assessed risk rather than political considerations.
The lawmakers consequently demanded the publication of the security assessment and deployment framework used for the election, as well as an explanation of how security resources are distributed across the country.
They pointed to recent attacks in Kebbi and Sokoto states, where civilians and security personnel have reportedly been killed by armed groups.
“These incidents illustrate the uncomfortable reality facing Nigeria. While extraordinary security resources can be mobilised for an election, communities confronting persistent insecurity continue to lose civilians and security personnel,” the group said.
Osun Election a Test Ahead of 2027
The Save Democracy Group said the Osun governorship election should serve as a major test and rehearsal ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a comprehensive post-election review to identify logistical, technological, administrative, and procedural weaknesses that could undermine future elections.
The lawmakers warned that the 2027 election would be considerably larger and more consequential, stressing that INEC could not afford to repeat the same mistakes.
The group also renewed its call for the immediate reconvening of the National Assembly to address what it described as urgent national issues, including insecurity, killings of civilians and security personnel, the proposed State Police amendment, implementation of the 2024, 2025, and 2026 budgets, and declining public confidence in democratic institutions.
It cited Ghana’s Parliament as an example of a legislature willing to return from recess to address urgent national concerns.
The lawmakers maintained that Nigeria could not afford to treat insecurity and political violence as normal features of democratic competition.
They called for full investigations into political violence, prosecution of perpetrators where criminal responsibility is established, accountability for political actors who incite violence, and an urgent review of Nigeria’s national security strategy.
