By Opeyemi Adelakun
The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in the Osun State election, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, has said the political causes and values promoted during his campaign remain alive despite his defeat at the polls.
Oyebamiji, in a statement on Tuesday, also endorsed the APC’s decision to review the outcome of the election, while thanking voters, party leaders, members and campaign volunteers who supported his bid.
The APC candidate acknowledged that the result was not what his party had anticipated but said he respected the position announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“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 support he received during the campaign demonstrated that many residents believed in the alternative vision and development agenda presented by his team.
He urged his supporters not to withdraw from public engagement, stressing that the end of the election should not mean the end of their efforts to contribute to the development of Osun.
“Although the campaign has come to an end and the election is over, the values and causes we championed are alive,” he said.
The APC candidate also called on party members to remain organised and committed to promoting what he described as effective, inclusive and rapid development in the state.
Oyebamiji further expressed concern over alleged attacks on APC members and supporters following the election.
He claimed that incidents of violence witnessed during the electioneering period had intensified within 24 hours of the conclusion of the poll.
“The violence attacks on our members witnessed in the build-up to the election has taken another dimension in the last 24 hours. Consequently, I urge the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to intervene and arrest this ugly trend without delay,” he said.
He appealed to the Osun State Government, the police and other security agencies to take steps to prevent further violence.
At the same time, Oyebamiji urged APC supporters to remain peaceful and calm as they go about their activities.
INEC declared incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke the winner of the governorship election on Sunday.
Adeleke, who contested under the Accord platform, polled 511,067 votes, defeating Oyebamiji, who secured 444,815 votes.
The African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam, finished third with 17,180 votes.
Adeleke won in 19 local government areas, while Oyebamiji prevailed in 11, giving the incumbent a 66,252-vote margin.
Following his declaration, Adeleke called for unity, saying there was no victor or vanquished in the election. He also urged his opponents to accept the result and specifically appealed to Oyebamiji to congratulate him.
Oyebamiji, however, said he remained proud of the campaign conducted by his team and would await the outcome of the APC’s review of the election before deciding on the party’s next steps.
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