Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has petitioned the United States and British diplomatic missions in Nigeria to impose visa restrictions on Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi over alleged inflammatory remarks made ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
In separate letters dated August 11, 2026, and addressed to the United States Ambassador and the British High Commissioner in Abuja, Adeyanju urged both countries to consider a visa ban against the senator and members of his family over the alleged remarks.
The petitions followed reports concerning a video in which Fadahunsi was allegedly heard addressing supporters in Yoruba and making remarks about members of the Accord Party.
According to the translation cited in the petitions, the senator allegedly told supporters, “From now on till the election day, whenever you see them (Accord Party members), kill them.”
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The petition to the US Ambassador said a copy of the reported publication and a recording of the video had been attached for reference. The lawyer argued that the alleged conduct warranted a strong response from the international community against political actors who undermine democratic and electoral processes.
Adeyanju said the request was consistent with what he described as the United States’ commitment to protecting democracy, free and universal suffrage and electoral integrity.
He also urged the US authorities to consider stronger measures in the future, including the seizure of assets and foreclosure of business interests of Nigerians who actively undermine the country’s constitutional democratic process.
The letter to the British High Commission made a similar request, arguing that the United Kingdom should consider visa restrictions against Fadahunsi and members of his family over the reported comments.
The petitions come amid heightened political tension in Osun State ahead of the governorship election, with concerns over possible violence and intimidation during the electoral process. The documents also referenced previous controversies and confrontations involving members of the Accord Party in the state.
The development comes as the Nigeria Police have separately summoned Fadahunsi over the alleged remarks.
A report reproduced in the documents stated that the Osun State Police Command invited the senator following the circulation of the video in which he was allegedly accused of directing supporters to attack Accord Party members during a campaign event in Ilesa.
The invitation, dated August 11 and signed by the Commissioner of Police in charge of election duties in Osun State, Samuel Etaifo Erale, reportedly said the police were acting on information that Fadahunsi had made statements considered “threatening, inciting, and intimidating”.
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The police said the senator’s appearance would enable the command to establish the circumstances surrounding the remarks and assess their implications for peace and security during the election.
The visa-ban requests therefore add an international dimension to the controversy surrounding the alleged comments, coming as domestic authorities move to examine the circumstances surrounding the video.
