Presidential candidate of the Accord Party, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has threatened to seek the arrest of Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi at the International Criminal Court over alleged incitement of political violence ahead of the Osun governorship election if the Nigerian government does not arrest and prosecute him.
Olawepo-Hashim, in a statement on the matter, warned those beating the drums of war over the Osun State governorship election to be wary of the consequences of their actions.
Senator Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East in the Senate, had, while addressing a gathering in Ilesa, made comments about “killing” Accord Party members ahead of Saturday’s Osun governorship election.
He has since clarified his controversial “Kill Accord” comment, saying he was referring to defeating the Accord Party at the ballot box and not promoting violence.
However, Olawepo-Hashim, who is a Max Beloff 2009 Prize Winner for Global Affairs, added that “Nigeria, being a signatory to the Hague Convention, must immediately arrest and prosecute the Senator, failing which we shall activate the mechanism for an international arrest warrant at The Hague.”
According to him, “It is not the first time APC supporters would openly incite violence. Already, many Accord supporters have been killed and huge numbers wounded.”
He added that “it is also the past time of APC chieftains in many states to incite violence without restraints from the national leaders.
“We want to let everyone know that these actions would not go unpunished.”
Meanwhile, the police, according to the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), have invited the Senator for “questioning” over the alleged threat.
According to the PPRO, “The Senator is invited first, and if he fails to honour the invitation, we will go after him.”
