The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the just-concluded Osun State election, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, has backed the party’s decision to review the results of the outcome of the poll.
Oyebamiji, in a statement released on Tuesday and obtained by Politics Nigeria, acknowledged that the outcome was not what his party had hoped for, but said he remained grateful to voters, party leaders, members and campaign volunteers who supported his candidacy.
“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.
The APC candidate expressed appreciation to those who believed in the alternative vision and prosperity agenda presented by his campaign, saying their support and sacrifices would remain cherished.
He, however, maintained that the issues and values canvassed during the campaign remained relevant to the development of Osun State, urging his supporters not to disengage from efforts to improve the state.
“Although the campaign has come to an end and the election is over, the values and causes we championed are alive,” Oyebamiji said.
He urged APC members and supporters to remain engaged, organised and committed to working for the collective good of the state, stressing that the end of the election should not signal the end of efforts toward effective, inclusive and rapid development.
Oyebamiji also raised concerns over what he described as a growing wave of hostility and violence against APC members and supporters in the aftermath of the election.
According to him, attacks witnessed against members of the party during the build-up to the election had “taken another dimension” following the poll.
He consequently called on the Osun State Government, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to intervene and halt the alleged attacks.
“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.
The APC candidate, however, appealed to his supporters to remain calm and peaceful as they go about their daily activities in the post-election period.
On Sunday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord as the winner of the election.
Adeleke emerged victorious after polling 511,067 votes to defeat Oyebamiji, who secured 444,815 votes.
The ADC candidate, Najeem Salaam, came third with 17,180 votes.
Adeleke won in 19 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured 11, giving the incumbent a margin of 66,252 votes.
Speaking shortly after he was declared winner, Adeleke said there was no victor and no vanquished. The governor expressed hope that the other candidates would accept the outcome of the election. He particularly called on the APC candidate to call and congratulate him.
Meanwhile, Oyebamiji said he remained proud of the campaign conducted by his team and thanked voters, party leaders, members and supporters for their confidence and commitment, while he awaited the decision of the party.
