Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has filed a fresh ₦10 billion lawsuit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), alleging that the anti-corruption agency denied his wife and son access to him while he was in custody.
The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on August 13, 2026, also names the ICPC Chairman and the Attorney-General of the Federation as defendants.
El-Rufai, through his lawyer, Ubong Akpan, is asking the court to affirm that his fundamental rights under Part IV of the 1999 Constitution remain enforceable despite his detention by the commission.
According to the court filing, the former governor alleges that ICPC officials repeatedly prevented his wife, Aichatou Asabe, and his son, Abba El-Rufai, from visiting him.
He claims that the restrictions affected his ability to receive food, medication and other essential items from his family and were imposed without lawful justification or a court order.
El-Rufai further alleges that ICPC officials physically restrained and intimidated his wife and son during an incident on July 7. He argues that the alleged conduct interfered with his family relationships and violated his constitutional protections.
The former governor is relying on Sections 34 and 37 of the Nigerian Constitution, as well as Articles 5 and 18 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, in challenging the alleged restrictions.
He wants the court to declare that the alleged treatment violated his rights to dignity and private and family life.
El-Rufai is also asking the court to declare unconstitutional the continued denial of access to his family members without lawful authority.
The suit contains nine separate reliefs, including a claim for ₦10 billion in damages over the alleged violations.
The new case is the latest development in a wider dispute between the former governor and the anti-corruption agency.
In July, the ICPC accused El-Rufai of breaching conditions attached to a court-approved medical visit and also announced the arrest of his personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar. The commission alleged that the doctor made false statements connected to the medical visit.
The ICPC said the medical visit to the National Hospital in Abuja on July 7 had been facilitated in accordance with a court directive and that its officers respected El-Rufai’s privacy during the consultation.
El-Rufai, however, rejected the commission’s account, arguing through his media adviser that the circumstances surrounding his health, court appearance and medical treatment had been misrepresented.
His family had also publicly raised concerns about his access to medical care, lawyers and relatives while in custody.
The latest ₦10 billion suit therefore adds a separate constitutional-rights dispute to the broader legal proceedings involving the former governor.
Important: The allegations in the new suit are claims made by El-Rufai and have not been established by the court. The ICPC’s response to this latest suit will be important in determining how the competing accounts are presented before the court.
The Senate Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Seplat Energy, Network E&P Nigeria Limited and two other oil companies to appear before the committee and respond to queries raised in the 2021, 2022 and 2023 audit reports of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).
The committee, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, warned that the affected companies could face the full force of the National Assembly’s legislative powers if they fail to honour the invitation.
The decision was taken after committee members expressed concern over the companies’ failure to appear before the Senate panel to provide explanations on issues identified in the NEITI audit reports.
Senate Questions Companies’ Failure to Appear
The committee’s action followed the continued absence of representatives of the companies from its proceedings.
Senator Abdul Ningi was the first to call for sanctions against the companies, particularly after Network E&P Nigeria Limited wrote to the committee explaining that it was accountable to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
Ningi described the letter as “disturbing and provocative”, arguing that the company could not use its regulatory relationship with the NUPRC as a reason to disregard a summons from the National Assembly.
Senate Cites Constitutional Powers
Ningi reminded the committee that the National Assembly has constitutional authority to summon individuals, organisations and government agencies when seeking information on matters under investigation.
‘Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution empower the National Assembly to invite anybody or agency for explanations on issues raised against them’.
The provisions cited by the senator give the National Assembly powers to conduct investigations and require persons or organisations relevant to an inquiry to provide information and explanations.
Network E&P Ordered To Appear
Following the deliberations, the committee specifically directed the Managing Director of Network E&P Nigeria Limited to appear before it on Thursday.
The committee warned that failure to comply with the directive could result in the invocation of its legislative powers against the company.
The order came after lawmakers rejected the explanation contained in the company’s correspondence regarding its accountability to the NUPRC.
Seplat And Other Oil Firms Also Summoned
Similar directives were issued to the managements of All Grace Energy Limited, Aradel Energy Limited and Seplat Energy.
The committee noted that representatives of the three companies had also failed to appear before the panel to address questions arising from the NEITI audit reports.
The companies have therefore been given the same opportunity to appear before the committee and respond to the issues raised against them.
Why The NEITI Reports Matter
The NEITI reports examine activities and financial transactions within Nigeria’s extractive industries, including the oil and gas sector.
The Senate committee’s interest in the reports reflects its responsibility to examine public-sector financial accountability and ensure that issues identified through official audits receive appropriate explanations from the organisations concerned.
In this case, the PAC is seeking direct responses from the affected oil companies rather than relying solely on written submissions.
What Happens If The Companies Fail To Appear?
The Senate committee has warned that companies that ignore the 48-hour ultimatum could face legislative action.
Senator Shehu Kaka Lawan, representing Borno Central, supported the move and urged the committee to use its constitutional powers against the managements of companies that had failed to honour previous invitations.
For Network E&P, the committee has already fixed Thursday for the Managing Director’s appearance, while similar directives have been issued to the managements of All Grace Energy, Aradel Energy and Seplat Energy.
The immediate focus is now on whether the four companies will appear before the Senate Public Accounts Committee and provide explanations to the queries contained in the NEITI audit reports.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has opened applications for the 2026 edition of its entrepreneurship initiative, NANSInnovate, giving Nigerian student entrepreneurs an opportunity to showcase their businesses and compete for funding.
The programme is aimed at students who already run businesses as well as those with business ideas they want to develop. According to NANS, the initiative will support student entrepreneurs across universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in Nigeria.
NANS National President, Akinteye Babatunde, announced the opening of applications in a statement on Monday.
The programme is expected to give participating students an opportunity to present their ideas to investors, business leaders and industry experts.
Afeez said, “Across our campuses are brilliant young Nigerians with ideas that can solve problems, create jobs and build successful businesses. Unfortunately, many of these ideas never go beyond the classroom because of limited opportunities and access to funding.”
He added, “NANSInnovate 2026 is our response to that challenge. We are providing a national platform where innovation will be rewarded, creativity will be encouraged and promising student entrepreneurs will receive the support they need to grow.”
The initiative will end with a national pitch competition involving the top 20 finalists, who will compete for cash prizes worth millions of naira.
Afeez urged qualified students to apply for the programme, saying, “At the end of the competition, the top 20 student entrepreneurs will go home with cash prizes worth millions of naira to support and expand their businesses.”
Who Can Apply for NANSInnovate 2026?
The programme is open to Nigerian citizens who are currently enrolled in a recognised university, polytechnic or college of education in any of Nigeria’s 36 states or the Federal Capital Territory.
Applicants must have either an existing business or a business idea they intend to develop.
Students will also need a valid student identity card and must prepare a business proposal in Microsoft Word format.
Documents Needed For The NANS Business Grant Application
Applicants are expected to submit the following:
A valid student ID card in JPG, PNG or PDF format.
A business proposal in Microsoft Word (.docx) format.
A proposal of not more than 10 pages.
Times New Roman font, size 12.
Single-line spacing.
A file size not exceeding 5MB.
CAC or SMEDAN certificates may also be submitted, although NANS says these documents are optional.
How To Apply For NANSInnovate 2026
Interested students are required to visit the NANSInnovate application portal at grants.nanshq.org.
Applicants will first provide their personal and school information before entering details about their business.
They will then select the category that best describes their venture and indicate whether they are applying with an existing business or a new business idea.
The available categories are:
Production/Manufacturing
Trading/Merchandise
Services
Agriculture
Students must upload their valid student ID and business proposal before submitting the application.
Applicants will also be asked to provide a 100-word pitch explaining their business, why the idea is important and how they plan to use the funding.
Once an application has been submitted, the applicant will receive a unique entry code that can be used to track the application.
NANS advised applicants to save or screenshot the code for future reference.
Is The NANSInnovate Application Free?
Yes. The application is free.
NANS warned students not to make payments to anyone in connection with the programme. According to the association, anyone demanding money for entry into NANSInnovate should be treated as a potential scam and reported.
What Does NANSInnovate 2026 Offer?
According to NANS, the programme will run for one week and feature learning sessions, networking opportunities and mentorship for participating student entrepreneurs.
Participants will have opportunities to connect with investors, industry leaders and other young entrepreneurs.
The programme will also include one-on-one mentorship and a national pitch competition, where the top 20 finalists will compete for business funding.
NANS said the initiative is intended to support students who are already building businesses while giving them access to opportunities that can help them develop and expand their ventures.
Afeez said, “On behalf of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) National Headquarters, I invite every eligible student to register and be part of this historic initiative.”
“The next great Nigerian business could begin here, and the next successful entrepreneur could be you,” he added.
Students interested in the programme can submit their applications through grants.nanshq.org.
Katsina United defender Ozor Chinedu, who was pronounced dead after collapsing during a pre-season friendly in Katsina, has reportedly been found alive inside a mortuary.
The 18-year-old footballer, who recently joined Katsina United from Kano Pillars, collapsed during a Gusau/Ahlan Pre-season Cup match against Niger Tornadoes at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium on Tuesday.
Chinedu was immediately taken to K-Dara Specialist Hospital for treatment, where doctors reportedly declared him dead.
Following the announcement, Katsina United issued a condolence message, while former clubs and other football teams, including Heartland and Kano Pillars, also took to social media to mourn the young defender.
However, the situation took a dramatic turn when mortuary staff at Katsina General Hospital reportedly noticed movement from Chinedu’s body.
He was immediately removed from the mortuary and transferred to the Intensive Care Unit, where he was placed on oxygen and is receiving medical attention.
The Media Officer of Katsina United, Nasir Gide, confirmed the development, saying the player had reportedly been pronounced dead twice before signs of life were noticed.
Heartland FC, one of Chinedu’s former clubs, also confirmed the development and appealed to supporters and well-wishers to pray for the footballer’s recovery.
The incident has sparked shock across the Nigerian football community, particularly after the player had initially been mourned by his club and former teams. As of the latest reports, Chinedu remains under medical care.
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has backed the ongoing industrial action by aviation workers, saying employees should be free to join trade unions without facing intimidation or victimisation from their employers.
The TUC President, Festus Osifo, made the position known on Tuesday during a briefing on the state of the nation in Abuja, where he also addressed concerns surrounding insecurity, the economy, policing, the energy sector and workers’ welfare.
TUC Backs Aviation Workers’ Strike
Osifo said the Congress fully supports the aviation workers’ industrial action, which disrupted flight operations at major airports in Lagos and Abuja.
He maintained that workers have a legal right to organise and belong to trade unions, warning employers against taking punitive measures against employees who exercise that right.
The TUC president said the Congress would resist any attempt to victimise workers because of their union membership or participation in legitimate labour activities.
The industrial action involves the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the TUC.
The unions are protesting issues surrounding the unionisation of workers in domestic airlines and the remittance of statutory charges to the aviation regulator.
The action resulted in the disruption of several scheduled flights, leaving passengers stranded at airports in Lagos and Abuja.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has appealed to the aviation unions to suspend the industrial action and allow room for further discussions.
The authority asked the unions to exercise restraint pending “the return” of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who has been working to resolve the disagreements between the unions and airline operators.
The NCAA had also assured passengers that the industrial action had not compromised aviation safety and that its statutory safety oversight responsibilities remained in place.
Beyond the aviation dispute, the TUC called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity across the country.
The Congress said improved security was necessary to enable farmers to safely return to their farms and help address challenges affecting food production and supply.
According to the labour body, insecurity continues to have serious consequences for both livelihoods and the wider economy.
The TUC also renewed its call for the establishment of state police.
Osifo urged the National Assembly to accelerate consideration of the relevant legislation, arguing that the country needs stronger and more effective policing structures to address its security challenges.
The Congress also advocated greater use of technology as part of efforts to combat insecurity and improve policing across Nigeria.
On the economy, the TUC said there were some indications of stabilisation at the microeconomic level but expressed continued concern about broader macroeconomic conditions.
Osifo also argued that the naira remained undervalued and said this continued to have implications for the cost of living.
The Congress called for sustained government action to ease economic hardship and improve the welfare of Nigerian workers.
The labour organisation also spoke against the outright sale of government-owned refineries.
Rather than disposing of the facilities, the TUC advocated retaining government equity and ensuring that the refineries are properly managed.
The position comes amid continuing debate over the management, rehabilitation and ownership of Nigeria’s government-owned refining assets.
The TUC also raised concerns about the remittance of the five per cent charge and issues affecting workers’ welfare.
At the same time, the Congress commended the Federal Government for the recent salary increase approved for military personnel.
The labour body said it would continue discussions with the government until concrete steps are taken to address economic hardship, insecurity and concerns affecting workers.
The aviation dispute remains unresolved, with the unions maintaining their position while the NCAA continues to call for restraint and dialogue.
For the TUC, however, the aviation strike is part of a wider concern about workers’ rights, particularly the freedom of employees to unionise without fear of retaliation.
The Congress said it would continue engaging the Federal Government on the broader economic and security challenges while pressing for measures that improve workers’ welfare and living conditions.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thunderstorms and varying degrees of rainfall across 22 states on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, warning residents in flood-prone areas to remain cautious as some locations could experience localised flooding.
According to NiMet’s Daily Weather Outlook released on Tuesday, the weather conditions are expected to vary across the northern, central and southern parts of the country, with some areas likely to experience moderate to heavy rainfall.
NiMet forecast patches of cloud in several northern states during the morning, with thunderstorms and moderate rainfall expected in parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna and Kano.
The agency expects the weather to become more active during the afternoon and evening, with thunderstorms and moderate rainfall forecast across parts of Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto, Yobe, Bauchi, Borno, Adamawa and Taraba.
Residents in these areas, particularly those living in low-lying communities, are advised to remain alert as heavy rainfall can quickly lead to localised flooding.
Across the North Central region, NiMet expects cloudy conditions during the morning, with thunderstorms and light rainfall possible in parts of Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi and the Federal Capital Territory.
The agency forecasts more widespread thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rainfall across much of the region during the afternoon and evening.
Residents are advised to monitor changing weather conditions, especially in communities with a history of flooding.
In southern Nigeria, NiMet expects cloudy skies during the morning, with the possibility of light rainfall over parts of Ondo State, as well as areas across the South-South and South-East regions.
The weather is expected to become wetter later in the day, with moderate to heavy rainfall forecast in parts of Cross River and Akwa Ibom.
Other parts of the southern region are expected to experience light to moderate rainfall during the afternoon and evening.
The weather agency warned that thunderstorms could be accompanied by strong winds, lightning and reduced visibility.
Residents in areas vulnerable to flooding are therefore advised to take necessary precautions and avoid situations that could expose them to rapidly changing weather conditions.
“Motorists should exercise caution during rainfall and avoid driving through flooded roads or areas with rapidly flowing water,” NiMet posted on its X handle on Tuesday.
The warning is particularly important for motorists travelling through low-lying areas, where intense rainfall can cause water levels to rise rapidly.
NiMet also advised airline operators to obtain updated weather information and advisories from the agency when planning flight operations.
The recommendation is intended to help operators make appropriate decisions and maintain safe operations during periods of thunderstorms, reduced visibility and other potentially hazardous weather conditions.
With thunderstorms and rainfall expected across different parts of the country, residents in affected states are encouraged to stay updated on official weather advisories.
Particular attention should be paid to low-lying and flood-prone communities in states including Kano, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Kaduna, Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi and others where rainfall and thunderstorms have been forecast.
The outlook covers Wednesday, August 12, 2026, and conditions may change throughout the day, making updated NiMet advisories important for residents, motorists and aviation operators.
At least 44 people have died after a ferry capsized on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe on Tuesday, according to police, with search and rescue efforts still underway.
The vessel, which had an official capacity of 90 passengers and five crew members, was reportedly carrying as many as 120 people, including 12 children, at the time of the incident. Authorities say it was struck by a powerful wave that caused it to overturn, with footage circulating online showing its hull floating upside down on the water.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared a state of disaster as rescue operations intensify. So far, 77 people have been pulled from the lake alive, while the death toll has climbed sharply from an initial count of 15 to 44 confirmed bodies retrieved.
Lake Kariba, one of the world’s largest man-made reservoirs, sits along the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia and plays a key role in transport, fishing and hydroelectric power generation for both nations.
Questions are mounting over the true number of passengers on board. Local lawmaker Mutsa Murombedzi shared footage on X purportedly showing the vessel departing, noting that residents were making the roughly five-hour crossing to Kariba town. She called for officials to release accurate passenger figures, describing the situation as raising serious concerns that demand honest answers.
Zimbabwe’s Civil Protection Unit said ticket sales data pointed to 114 adult passengers aboard, though an unspecified number of children too young to require tickets may have also been on the ferry.
Local government minister Daniel Garwe confirmed that the president’s disaster declaration was intended to ensure all available resources could be deployed for the rescue effort, including an army boat squadron, a police sub-aqua unit and a privately chartered helicopter. He extended condolences on behalf of the government to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has closed its online portal for political parties to submit candidates for the 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.
The Candidate Nomination Portal closed at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11, bringing an end to the three-day extension granted to political parties that needed additional time to complete their electronic submissions.
Several political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Nigeria Democratic Congress, submitted candidates before the deadline.
An INEC official confirmed that parties made use of the additional period granted by the commission.
“It’s obvious. They asked for it and we gave it to them. So obviously, they must have used it,” the official said.
INEC had originally fixed August 8 as the deadline for parties to submit nomination forms and the personal details of candidates contesting the governorship and State Assembly elections.
However, the commission extended the deadline by three days following requests from political parties experiencing difficulties with the electronic submission process.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the extension followed “growing appeals by political parties for additional time to complete the process.”
The latest adjustment represents the second time INEC has extended a deadline for political parties submitting candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
The APC was among the parties that publicly announced that it had completed its submissions.
The party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, said over the weekend that the APC had complied with the nomination requirements.
The NNPP also reported significant progress before the portal closed. Its founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, said the party had submitted candidates for more than 90 per cent of the available elective positions.
The submissions cover candidates seeking election as governors and members of the 36 State Houses of Assembly in the February 2027 elections.
Under INEC’s revised timetable, parties were required to submit nomination forms and candidates’ personal information electronically through the commission’s Candidate Nomination Portal.
Although several parties confirmed that they had uploaded their candidates, INEC did not release the final number of submissions before the portal closed.
A senior commission official, who spoke anonymously, explained that publishing figures while the portal was still open could result in inaccurate information because parties could continue uploading candidates until the deadline expired.
“We’ll give you after tomorrow. We can’t give you figures just because we’re in a rush to inform the public. We’ll give you inaccurate figures,” the official said.
The official explained that INEC needed the portal to close completely before reconciling the information submitted by the various political parties.
With the portal now shut, the commission is expected to review and reconcile the submissions before moving to the next stage of the electoral timetable.
The latest extension follows a similar adjustment made by INEC in July concerning presidential and National Assembly candidates.
The commission moved the deadline for those submissions from July 11 to July 14 after the Inter-Party Advisory Council appealed for additional time on behalf of parties experiencing difficulties with the upload process.
INEC said the extension was intended to give political parties a fair opportunity to complete their nominations.
With the nomination portal now closed, INEC is expected to reconcile and verify the information submitted by political parties.
One of the next major steps is the publication of the personal particulars of governorship and State Assembly candidates for public scrutiny.
The publication is expected later in August and will give citizens, political parties and other stakeholders an opportunity to examine the information submitted by the candidates.
The closure of the portal therefore marks an important stage in INEC’s preparations for the February 2027 general elections, as political parties and the commission move on to the next phase of the electoral timetable.
Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has married his longtime partner, Georgina Rodriguez, after nearly a decade together, with the couple choosing the Portuguese seaside resort of Cascais for their private wedding ceremony.
The 41-year-old Portugal and Al-Nassr forward and Rodriguez, 32, tied the knot on Tuesday, marking a major milestone in their relationship. The ceremony followed days of intense speculation in Portugal about where and when the wedding would take place.
Ronaldo confirmed the marriage by sharing a photograph of the couple’s hands displaying their wedding rings on Instagram, accompanied by the caption: “C [heart] G”.
Representatives for the footballer told AFP that the couple’s five children were present at what was described as a “private and intimate” ceremony.
The wedding took place exactly one year after Rodriguez publicly announced their engagement on Instagram.
Ronaldo and Rodriguez have been together for about 10 years and have become one of the world’s most recognisable celebrity couples, with their relationship attracting enormous attention both inside and outside football.
Ronaldo, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of his generation, currently plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr. He previously enjoyed successful spells with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus and has won the Ballon d’Or five times.
He also represented Portugal at the 2026 World Cup, where the national team was eliminated in the last 16.
Rodriguez has built a major public profile of her own. The Spanish-Argentine influencer starred in the Netflix series I am Georgina, which follows her family life alongside fashion, travel and football.
For days before the wedding, Portuguese media had speculated that the ceremony could be held in Sintra, near Lisbon, or in Funchal, on the Atlantic island of Madeira, where Ronaldo was born.
Speculation that the couple would marry in Funchal last weekend even attracted hundreds of people to the city’s cathedral, hoping to catch a glimpse of the pair.
However, the cathedral had previously confirmed to AFP that no wedding ceremony involving Ronaldo had been scheduled, although it said hosting such an event would have been “an honour”.
The couple eventually selected Cascais, an upscale coastal resort approximately 30km (19 miles) west of Lisbon. Ronaldo and Rodriguez own a villa in the area.
How Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez Met
Ronaldo and Rodriguez first met in 2016 while she was working at a Gucci store in Madrid.
Rodriguez has previously described their first meeting as “love at first sight”.
Speaking to Vogue Arabia in 2025, she recalled feeling “a sense of peace and an inexplicable energy” around Ronaldo almost immediately, saying it felt “as if we had known each other forever”.
Their relationship has since grown into a global celebrity partnership. Together, Ronaldo and Rodriguez have more than 750 million followers across social media platforms, making them one of the most influential couples in the world.
Beyond football and entertainment, the couple has also developed a significant business portfolio, with investments spanning fashion brands and a chain of hotels.
The controversy began after a video from an APC gathering in Ilesa, Osun State, circulated widely on social media. In the footage, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District, is heard speaking in Yoruba to supporters and making a statement that has been interpreted as a call to attack members of the rival Accord Party. The footage triggered public concern because it emerged just days before the August 15 governorship election.
The incident quickly moved beyond social media as the Osun State Police Command said the video raised “serious concern” and invited the senator to explain what he meant. Fadahunsi, however, rejected the interpretation of the video, arguing that the footage was edited and that he was referring to political retaliation and alleged attacks against APC members rather than calling for physical violence.
How The Controversy Started
The video emerged from an APC gathering in Ilesa on Tuesday, August 11, where Fadahunsi was addressing supporters amid heightened political tension in the area.
According to reports from Premium Times and ICIR, the senator accused members of the Accord Party of involvement in attacks against APC supporters and then made the controversial remark captured in the circulating footage. Premium Times reported that the statement came a day after three people were killed in a shooting in the Imo area of Ilesa.
The footage subsequently spread across social media, generating condemnation and calls for the authorities to investigate the statement.
Police Describe Video As ‘Serious Concern’
The Osun State Police Command subsequently intervened.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the police could not ignore the video.
“Seeing that video, it calls for serious concern, and that is what led to his invitation. Let him come and tell us what he was trying to say and what he meant by “kill them” in that video.”
The police invitation was dated August 11 and directed Fadahunsi to appear before the State Criminal Investigation Department in Osogbo at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 12.
The invitation said the police wanted him to “clarify the circumstances” surrounding statements allegedly made during the APC programme, describing the comments as potentially threatening, inciting and intimidating.
What Fadahunsi Said About The Video
Fadahunsi has denied that he was calling for people to physically attack Accord Party members.
In his response, the senator said the video had been deliberately edited and that his comments were made against the backdrop of what he described as attacks on APC members in Ilesa and other parts of Osun.
“The video was deliberately edited to distort what I actually said. “What I said was that if the alleged killing of our party members by Accord Party thugs does not stop, our party will retaliate. I was referring to the continued violence and attacks against our members in Ilesa and other parts of the state,” Senator Fadahunsi stated.
He further said: “My statement was very clear: if the killings do not stop, we shall also retaliate. We are here to lodge complaints and demand justice. It is unacceptable for human beings to kill fellow human beings the way our members are allegedly being killed in Ilesa.”
Fadahunsi also maintained that his comments should be understood within the context of the longer speech from which the viral clip was taken.
Fadahunsi Says His Words Were Political
In a separate explanation reported by Premium Times, Fadahunsi said his Yoruba remarks had been interpreted too literally.
“I told them that this shows that they are weak, this shows that they cannot win. They should shut them down with their votes.”
His media team similarly described the statement as political and metaphorical, saying the intended message was for APC supporters to defeat the Accord Party through votes rather than violence.
This is an important part of the story because the senator’s explanation differs significantly from how the viral clip has been interpreted by critics and some reports.
Adeleke Calls For Fadahunsi’s Arrest
The controversy also drew a strong response from Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking re-election under the Accord Party.
Adeleke asked the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to investigate and arrest Fadahunsi over the comments. The governor described the matter as a national security concern and accused the senator of inciting violence against Accord Party members. He also called for intervention by federal security authorities.
“This is now beyond politics. This is now a national security threat that requires the attention of Mr President through the office of the National Security Adviser. I have raised this issue with the IGP and demanded the immediate investigation and arrest of Senator Fadahunsi. “The IGP has confirmed the video and assured me of immediate action,” Adeleke said.
Political Tension Rises Ahead Of Osun Election
The controversy comes at a particularly sensitive moment. INEC has scheduled the Osun governorship election for August 15, 2026, leaving only a few days between the viral incident, the police invitation and election day.
The situation has heightened concerns about political violence, especially because the controversy is occurring alongside competing allegations from the APC and Accord camps over attacks on their supporters.
The controversial statement followed tensions in Ilesa and a recent shooting in which three people were killed. Fadahunsi has also alleged that several APC members were killed or injured, although those claims should be treated as allegations unless independently established.
What Happens Next?
For now, the immediate issue is the police invitation issued to Fadahunsi. The senator was asked to report to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Osogbo on Wednesday, August 12, to clarify the comments attributed to him. The police have said his explanation will be made public.
The broader issue, however, extends beyond one politician or one viral video. With the Osun election only days away, the controversy has put renewed attention on the responsibility of political leaders and their supporters to avoid language or actions that could contribute to violence during the electoral process.
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