The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has demanded firm action against incitement to violence ahead of Saturday’s Osun governorship election.
Mr Joel Odigie, General Secretary of ITUC-Africa, made the call in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, expressing concern over recent inflammatory statements.
Odigie said political and religious leaders must exercise responsibility in their public utterances, particularly when such statements could threaten electoral peace and religious coexistence.
He said the organisation was concerned by alleged statements attributed to Sen. Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, concerning Accord Party supporters.
Odigie said Fadahunsi was reportedly recorded calling for the killing of Accord Party supporters who came out during the election, describing the statement as dangerous.
He said the senator’s subsequent explanation that he meant defeating the supporters through votes did not erase the potential danger created by the reported statement.
“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,” Odigie said.
He said the responsibility was greater for elected officials whose words could influence supporters and inflame an already tense political environment.
Odigie noted that the Osun State Police Command invited Fadahunsi for questioning and subsequently released him, urging further impartial investigation into the matter.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olatunji Disu, to ensure impartial investigation and prosecution where evidence established an offence.
“Political office must never confer immunity from recklessness or place anyone above the law,” he said.
The ITUC-Africa scribe also expressed concern over alleged inflammatory remarks attributed to Sheikh Sani Jingir, including descriptions of Christians as infidels and alleged religious exclusion.
Odigie said the reported approval of political leaders present when the remarks were made was particularly troubling in a country with a history of religiously motivated violence.
“In a country already scarred by religiously motivated violence, such rhetoric can have grave consequences,” he said.
He urged Nigerian authorities to act firmly and impartially, stressing the need to protect voters, electoral officials and political party representatives during the election.
“The people of Osun State must be free to vote without fear. Political contests must be settled through the ballot, not threats or bloodshed,” Odigie said.
He said Nigeria’s experience remained significant to Africa, given its population, economic importance and strong trade union movement with a record of defending democracy and social justice.
Odigie said tolerance of political violence, religious hatred or institutional partiality could undermine democratic values and social stability, with consequences extending beyond Nigeria.
He urged stakeholders to reject violence and ensure that Saturday’s election was conducted peacefully, allowing voters to exercise their democratic rights without intimidation or fear.(NAN)
