A founding member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr Osita Okechukwu, has urged Nigerians to reflect on the violence and other anti-democratic practices associated with elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Okechukwu, a former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, VON, made the call in a statement issued on Sunday in Enugu while reacting to the outcome of the Osun State governorship election.
He said the violence, hate speech, political intolerance, alleged breaches of the rule of law and delayed court judgments witnessed in the build-up to the election should serve as a warning to Nigerians.
“One frowns at violence and killings and prays for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives. The real lesson we must learn is that the banditry bedevilling our dear country should henceforth be addressed.
“We must urgently focus on eradicating the ‘banditry in all of us’ as we approach the 2027 general elections,” he said.
Okechukwu said political violence was not limited to armed banditry, but also manifested in hate speech, intolerance, breaches of the rule of law, erosion of democratic values, poor planning and misuse of public resources.
He expressed concern that such violence could occur in Osun, a state with a predominantly Yoruba population and a long history of coexistence between Muslims and Christians.
According to him, the Osun experience should compel Nigerians to examine the attitudes, values and conduct of individuals and institutions, beyond constitutional and structural arrangements.
He stressed that democracy could only thrive when citizens and political actors respected human life, the rule of law, peaceful political competition and the sanctity of the ballot.
Okechukwu urged Nigerians to “wean ourselves of banditry” in all its manifestations and place the interests of humanity, Nigeria and the respective states above personal, partisan and sectional interests.
He congratulated Gov. Ademola Adeleke on what he described as his “referendum test victory” and urged him to use his “large heart” to heal divisions in Osun through an inclusive administration.
“I urge him to utilise his large heart to urgently heal a divided Osun State via inclusive administration devoid of ancient grudges, above partisan politics and where everyone has a sense of belonging,” he said.
The 2026 Osun governorship election was held on August 15, with incumbent Gov. Ademola Adeleke seeking another term. The election was preceded by concerns over political violence, with security agencies and political stakeholders repeatedly urging parties and supporters to maintain peace.
Okechukwu’s call comes as political parties and stakeholders begin preparations for the 2027 general elections, with renewed attention on electoral violence, respect for democratic institutions and peaceful political competition.
