Acts of thuggery and violence, according to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, are contrary to the spirit of democracy, which calls for making decisions through voting.

The governor said that elections are about making decisions, not going to war, and expressed disapproval of several instances of political violence in the state of Osun.

When political leaders visited him to discuss the electoral victories of the Osun Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the general elections, Adeleke made these claims.

He condemned the killing of unarmed civilians by some politicians and praised the work of security forces during the state's election.

In his words, “My election as governor on July 16, 2022, has been reaffirmed and revalidated by mass victories for me and my party on February 25th and on March 18th of this year. The whole world can attest to the fact that our mandate is of the people, by the people, and for the people.

“Elected people hold power in trust for the people." We must therefore bow to the people’s will. When you fail in a poll, go back and prepare for the next round of elections. That is democracy in action. We must eschew violence. It is unacceptable to kill and maim people you are seeking to govern.

“As we celebrate the successes of the poll, we are also sympathizing with victims of political violence across the state." We are saddened by deliberate acts of thuggery in some parts of the state. I will repeat here that election is not war but choice making.

Recall that the Osun PDP won all nine House of Representatives seats and all three senatorial seats in the National Assembly election on February 25, 2023.

Additionally, the party won 25 of the 26 State of Assembly seats on March 18, 2023, a Saturday.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Osun won every seat in the National Assembly and every one of the 26 House of Assembly seats in the 2011 general elections, which gave the impression that history was being made.