Kill Them, Monitor Us
Senator incites killing, Davido calls Trump, cult clash kills 3, 10 cops die, 10 Okada riders killed, flights grounded.
Good morning,
A senator mounted a podium and told his supporters to kill. Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East, declared in a viral video: “From now on, whenever you see Accord members, kill them. I authorise you to kill them”. He boasted about access to federal power and threatened to prevent Accord supporters from voting, even if they presented their Permanent Voter Cards. The Imole Campaign Council has demanded his immediate arrest. The video has sparked outrage. The police are under pressure. The question is whether the law will be enforced or the threats will go unpunished.
Davido has appealed to US President Donald Trump to monitor the Osun election. The singer called on the international community to ensure voters can exercise their rights freely and without fear. His appeal, absurd though it may seem, reflects deep concern about potential violence. It also raises questions about whether international attention will deter manipulation or be seen as interference.
The violence has already begun. Three people were killed in a suspected cult clash between Aiye and Eiye confraternities in Osun on Monday. Police have deployed operatives to prevent reprisal attacks. The killings will heighten tensions ahead of Saturday’s poll.
And the violence is not confined to Osun. Ten police officers and 17 suspected bandits were killed in Kebbi after officers confronted about 240 gunmen travelling on more than 200 motorcycles from Zamfara. Ten commercial motorcyclists have been killed in Lafia over the past two months, their motorcycles snatched by criminals posing as passengers. In Edo, an 85-year-old community leader, Reuben Owie, was shot dead at his residence by two unidentified gunmen. 85 years old!
Away from the dark news, aviation unions have grounded flights in Lagos and Abuja over anti-union practices and non-remittance of ticket charges, leaving passengers stranded. The dispute highlights the fragile relationship between labour and management in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
But there is some relief. The Federal Fire Service says it has overcome long-standing water and fuel shortages, assuring Nigerians of faster emergency response. “The days of people calling the Fire Service and being told there is no water or diesel are gone,” the Controller-General said.
Warmly,
Lolade