A legal practitioner and public advocate, Tope Temokun, has questioned whether Senator Francis Fadahunsi would have remained a free man if he were a member of the opposition, following his controversial remarks about the Accord Party ahead of the Osun State governorship election.
Temokun raised the question in a Facebook post on Monday, August 11, 2026, while reacting to a viral video in which Fadahunsi made remarks about the Accord Party that have generated public concern.
Fadahunsi has since explained that his reference to “killing” Accord was metaphorical, saying he meant defeating the party through votes and not physically harming anyone.
However, Temokun argued that the senator’s explanation should not substitute for an investigation by the appropriate law-enforcement agencies.
He questioned whether the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) would have shown the same level of patience and interpretation if similar remarks had come from an opposition politician.
Temokun cited the case of activist Omoyele Sowore, who faced criminal proceedings following comments he made about President Bola Tinubu, arguing that the contrasting situations raise questions about the consistency of law-enforcement agencies in applying the law.
He said, “A security institution cannot become ferocious when an opposition voice speaks and suddenly rediscover patience, context and linguistic interpretation when a member of the ruling establishment speaks.”
The lawyer called on the Inspector-General of Police and the DSS to apply the same institutional standard to Fadahunsi’s remarks as they would to statements made by opposition figures.
According to him, the issue is particularly important given the proximity of the controversy to the Osun governorship election.
Temokun warned that any perception that opposition figures are subjected to harsher treatment while controversial statements by members of the ruling party are treated with greater leniency could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions.
“If Senator Fadahunsi were not a member of the ruling party, would he still be sitting comfortably at home explaining what he meant, or would he already be explaining those words to security agents?” he asked.
He maintained that the police and DSS should serve the public interest rather than protect the interests or comfort of any political group.
“Democracy cannot survive where the law becomes a weapon against opponents and a shield for allies,” Temokun said, calling for “one country, one law, one standard” with “no sacred cows.”
Reactions
The post attracted reactions from Facebook users, with several commenters questioning the perceived response of security agencies to the controversy.
Jan Oladipupo said the security apparatus often appears more energetic when dealing with divergent voices, protesters and critics, while those within the ruling establishment are afforded greater context and patience.
Adeniyi Adedeji also questioned what security agencies in Osun State were doing about the controversy, asking whether they would have remained silent if similar remarks had come from the opposition.
“Let issues handling be balanced,” he said.
Babalola Williams criticised what he described as the absence of action over the senator’s remarks, while Ayofe-Adisa Oluwaseun Abidemi recalled a previous statement by a former Senate Deputy Minority Leader, arguing that political affiliation could influence how such remarks are treated.
He urged political actors to settle political contests through the ballot, saying, “Vote, don’t fight.”
Another commenter, Adekunle Toyin, also raised concerns about perceived differences in the treatment of controversial statements depending on political affiliation.
