The All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, has accepted the Independent National Electoral Commission’s, INEC, declaration of incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke as the winner of the August 15 governorship election.
Oyebamiji, who spoke three days after the election, said he respected the electoral umpire’s decision while supporting the APC’s ongoing review of the poll’s outcome. He also called for calm among his supporters amid allegations of attacks on party members.
Adeleke, who contested the election on the platform of the Accord Party, was declared the winner after securing 511,067 votes, while Oyebamiji polled 444,815 votes.
In a statement posted on his X account on Tuesday, Oyebamiji commended APC supporters and party leaders across the state for their commitment to his campaign.
He said he remained grateful to those who supported the alternative vision presented by his campaign, despite the election outcome.
“Although we had hoped for a different outcome in the election, in the meantime, we respect the position of the electoral umpire, and I totally support the decision of our party in its ongoing review of the outcome of the election,” he said.
Oyebamiji said the conclusion of the campaign did not mean an end to the issues and values his campaign promoted.
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“The campaign has come to an end and the election is over, but the values and causes we championed are alive. We would continue to work for effective, inclusive and rapid development of our dear Osun,” he said.
He urged his supporters to remain peaceful and actively engaged in their communities, while continuing to work in the collective interest of the state.
However, Oyebamiji raised concerns over alleged attacks on APC members and supporters, saying the situation had worsened following the election.
“At the same time, I wish to alert the State Government and security agents to the growing trend of hostility and violence against our members and supporters,” he said.
He alleged that attacks recorded against APC supporters before the election had “taken another dimension in the last 24 hours.”
The APC candidate called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to intervene, while urging his supporters to remain calm as they went about their activities.
Oyebamiji also thanked voters, volunteers, party members and leaders who supported his candidacy, saying he remained “proud of the campaign we ran” and grateful for their confidence.
Vanguard
