The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the just-concluded Osun election, Bola Oyebamiji, has broken his silence following his defeat, saying he and his party had hoped for a different outcome.
Oyebamiji, in a statement issued on Tuesday in Osogbo, said while the result was not what the APC had anticipated, he respected the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He also threw his weight behind the party’s decision to review the outcome of the election.
“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,” Oyebamiji said.
The APC candidate expressed gratitude to voters who supported his ambition and to party leaders, members, volunteers and supporters who worked for his campaign across the state.
“I appreciate the many people who believed in and supported the alternative vision we articulated. I am deeply grateful to every voter who placed his or her trust in our vision,” he said.
He particularly praised the volunteers who committed their time and energy to the campaign, saying their contributions would remain memorable to him.
“To the volunteers who gave their time and energy, and to our committed party members and leaders across the state who turned out to energise our campaign, I appreciate you all,” he stated.
Oyebamiji said although the election had ended, the ideals and vision promoted during his campaign should not be abandoned.
According to him, his supporters should remain committed to contributing to the development of Osun State.
“The campaign has come to an end, and the election is over, but the values and causes we championed are alive.
“I urge my supporters to continue to contribute to the development of the state. We will continue to work for effective, inclusive and rapid development of our dear Osun,” he said.
However, Oyebamiji raised concerns over what he described as increasing hostility and violence against APC members and supporters since the election.
He alleged that attacks recorded before the poll had taken a new dimension in the last 24 hours and called on the Osun State Government and security agencies to intervene.
“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.
“The violent attacks on our members witnessed in the build-up to the election have taken another dimension in the last 24 hours,” he said.
He urged the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to act swiftly to prevent further escalation.
Oyebamiji again thanked voters, party members, leaders and supporters for their commitment and sacrifices throughout the campaign.
“I remain proud of the campaign we ran and grateful for the confidence you reposed in me,” he added.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had, in the early hours of Sunday, declared Governor Ademola Adeleke the winner of the governorship election.
Adeleke polled 511,067 votes to defeat Oyebamiji, who secured 444,815 votes.
The candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Najeem Salaam, came a distant third with 17,180 votes.
The INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, said the total valid votes cast were 985,079, while 20,721 votes were rejected, bringing the total number of votes cast to 1,005,800.
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