*raise concern over Sheikh Jingir’s religious incitement
By Michael Oche
The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has called for an impartial investigation into comments attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, in which he was allegedly recorded calling for the killing of Accord Party supporters during Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
ITUC-Africa also urged the police to prosecute the senator if investigations establish that his comments constituted an offence, warning that political office must not confer immunity from reckless statements capable of inciting violence.
In a statement issued in Lomé, Togo, on Friday by its General Secretary, Akhator Joel Odigie, the organisation said Fadahunsi’s subsequent explanation that he meant defeating his political opponents through votes did not erase the danger created by the original statement.
The organisation noted that while freedom of expression remains a fundamental democratic right, it carries responsibilities, particularly for elected officials whose words could influence supporters and escalate tensions in an already sensitive political environment.
“Freedom of expression is a fundamental democratic right, but it carries inherent responsibilities. It does not provide a licence to threaten lives or incite violence,” ITUC-Africa said.
The organisation recalled that the Osun State Police Command had invited Fadahunsi for questioning and subsequently released him.
It called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to ensure that the matter was investigated impartially and that prosecution followed where the evidence established an offence.
“Political office must never confer immunity from recklessness or place anyone above the law,” it said.
ITUC-Africa also expressed concern over inflammatory remarks attributed to Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, including statements reportedly describing Christians as infidels and promoting religious exclusion.
The organisation said the reported approval of political leaders who were present when the remarks were made made the incident “particularly troubling”.
“In a country already scarred by religiously motivated violence, such rhetoric can have grave consequences,” ITUC-Africa warned.
The labour organisation said Nigeria’s position as Africa’s most populous country, one of its largest economies and home to a strong trade union movement meant that developments in the country had implications beyond its borders.
It warned that tolerance of political violence, religious hatred or institutional partiality could undermine democratic stability and resonate across the continent.
ITUC-Africa therefore called on Nigerian authorities to act firmly and impartially to protect voters, electoral officials and political party representatives during the election.
It urged the authorities to ensure that the people of Osun State were able to exercise their franchise without fear, stressing that political contests should be resolved through the ballot and not through threats or bloodshed.
