A foundation member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Okechukwu, has called for serious introspection within Nigeria’s political class over the violence and tension associated with the Osun State governorship election.

Osita Okechukwu, while reacting to the outcome of the election, said the experience should compel political actors and parties to examine the factors that continue to turn electoral contests into bitter and sometimes violent struggles.

He warned that politics should not become a contest in which the pursuit of power overrides the sanctity of human life, democratic values and national cohesion.

According to him, the Osun experience should serve as a lesson to political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly on the need to strengthen internal democracy, respect electoral rules and discourage the use of violence by supporters and political actors.

The APC chieftain has previously advocated credible elections as a means of addressing political impunity, stressing that electoral integrity remains critical to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.

His latest position also comes against the backdrop of Osun’s history of fiercely contested elections and internal party disputes. The 2022 governorship election, for instance, was preceded by tensions and allegations of attacks during the parties’ primary processes, while candidates eventually signed a peace accord before the poll.

Okechukwu urged politicians to see elections as a means of choosing leaders rather than an existential battle in which opponents must be defeated at all costs. He called for greater restraint, tolerance and respect for democratic institutions, warning that unchecked political violence ultimately damages the country beyond the immediate interests of competing parties.

He said lessons from Osun should therefore be taken seriously as Nigeria moves towards the 2027 elections, adding that political leaders have a responsibility to ensure that the democratic process does not become a source of avoidable bloodshed and division.