Election: APC announces next line of action, cautions Adeleke 

By Philippine Duru

philippineobetoduru@gmail.com

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The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the August 15 Osun State governorship election, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, has appealed to Governor Ademola Adeleke to rein in his supporters and stop alleged attacks on members of the opposition party.

Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, made the call on Friday while speaking with journalists at the State House, Abuja, shortly after meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The APC candidate alleged that attacks on members of the party had continued despite the conclusion of the election, claiming that four or five APC supporters were attacked in his hometown, Ikire, on Friday morning.

He said the incidents had been reported to security agencies, urging Adeleke to prevail on his supporters to embrace peace and allow political actors in the state to coexist peacefully.

“I want to advise the governor that it’s important for him to talk to his people. Violence against our people is not too good, and he needs to talk to them so that each and every one of us can be on the same page,” Oyebamiji said.

Asked about his earlier concerns over alleged attacks on APC members following the declaration of the election results, Oyebamiji said the situation had persisted.

“Well, yes. Even as at this morning, in my own village, Ikire, some were attacked; about four, five people were attacked. We have informed the security operatives accordingly. That’s what I have to say about that,” he said.

Oyebamiji, however, urged APC members and his supporters across the state to remain calm and peaceful, stressing that political contests should not be allowed to threaten the peace of Osun.

According to him, elections should be conducted and contested peacefully because the ultimate purpose of government is to serve the people.

“The most important thing is to run every election with peaceful mind. It is important for us that we Nigerians have to know that government is about people, and it’s about people, and it’s about people, and because it’s about people, it is important that we need to be peaceful.

“I want to appeal to our people in Osun that they need to be peaceful,” he said.

APC Reviewing Election Outcome

Oyebamiji also disclosed that the APC was still reviewing the outcome of the August 15 governorship election and had not reached a final decision on its next course of action.

He said the party would announce its position after examining the election results and other relevant records.

“For now, the APC is still examining the books, and by the time we spread our sheets, we’ll be able to get back to the public on what our own opinions and what decisions we want to take, but the take home is that they should be calm,” Oyebamiji said.

His visit to the Presidential Villa came less than 24 hours after Adeleke met with President Tinubu at the State House on Thursday.

Adeleke, who contested the August 15 election on the platform of the Accord Party, was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after securing 511,067 votes.

Oyebamiji finished second with 444,815 votes, giving Adeleke a winning margin of 66,252 votes.

The governor won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured victory in 11.

Following his meeting with Tinubu on Thursday, Adeleke thanked the President for allowing what he described as a free and fair election in the state, saying Tinubu’s conduct demonstrated his commitment to Nigeria’s democratic development.

Oyebamiji’s comments on Friday, however, suggested that the APC was keeping its options open regarding the election outcome, even as he appealed to party members and supporters to remain peacef

ul while the party concludes its review.