Group protests in Ilesa, demand recall of Fadahunsi

Youth groups and concerned constituents in Osun East Senatorial District on Wednesday have staged a protest in Ilesa, demanding the recall of Senator Francis Fadahunsi over an alleged inciting comment attributed to him during the build-up to the 2026 Osun State governorship election.

The protesters, under the aegis of the Coalition of Youth and Students with Concerned Citizens of Osun East Senatorial District, expressed dissatisfaction with the senator’s representation, accusing him of making remarks they said could inflame political tensions during the electioneering period.

The protesters, who displayed placards and banners bearing various inscriptions, assembled at Enuwa Roundabout before marching through Isokun and Market Square, terminating their procession at the entrance of the Owa-Obokun palace in Ilesa.

Fadahunsi had, before the governorship election, led members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a protest over the alleged killing of party supporters, during which a video purportedly showing him making an inciting statement went viral.

The Senator, however, denied the allegation, describing the video as doctored by the ruling party.

Following the controversy, Fadahunsi was invited by the Osun State Police Command and questioned at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Osogbo before he was subsequently granted bail.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Comrade Olorunfemi Olatunji said the demonstration was motivated by what the group described as poor representation of the senatorial district, as well as the alleged inflammatory statement attributed to the Senator.

He said the protest was only the beginning of a broader legal process aimed at seeking Fadahunsi’s recall from the National Assembly.

“We, under the aegis of the Coalition of Youth and Students with Concerned Citizens of Osun East Senatorial District, are opposed to the reckless statement made by our Senator before the election.”

“This protest is the first stage of our actions. We are recalling him back home, and we are still going to Abuja.

“All the necessary lawful actions to recall him have been put together, which we will commence in a few days. We have filed the petition and we are following it with action that his recall process will require,” Olatunji said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Comrade Akinbode Olakolupo, called for the immediate arrest of Fadahunsi, while demanding a thorough investigation into allegations surrounding the senator’s conduct during the election period.

Olakolupo said, “We demand a transparent, impartial and credible investigation into all credible allegations of incitement, threats, killings and political violence connected to the electoral process involving Senator Fadahunsi.”

“We urge the police and other security agencies to intensify efforts to recover illegal firearms from political thugs and criminals in order to prevent further violence in the state.”

The protesters said they would pursue the recall process through lawful and constitutional channels, insisting that their objective was to ensure accountability and effective representation for the people of Osun East Senatorial District.