By Our Reporter
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the August 15 Osun State governorship election, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, has broken his silence following his defeat by incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Oyebamiji reacted in a statement posted on his official X account, @OyebamijiBola, on Tuesday, three days after the election.
Adeleke was declared winner of the election with 511,067 votes, while Oyebamiji polled 444,815 votes.
Reacting to the outcome, Oyebamiji said although his camp had expected a different result, he respected the position of the electoral umpire and supported the APC’s decision to review 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.”
The APC candidate also stressed that the end of the election would not end his commitment to the issues and values his campaign represented.
“The campaign has come to an end and the election is over, but the values and causes we championed are alive.”
He added that he would continue to work towards what he described as “effective, inclusive and rapid development” of Osun State.
Oyebamiji, however, raised concerns over what he described as growing hostility and violence against APC members and supporters following the election.
“I wish to alert the State Government and security agents to the growing trend of hostility and violence against our members and supporters.”
He alleged that attacks recorded against APC supporters before the election had taken another dimension in the 24 hours following the poll, and called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to intervene.
The APC candidate also urged his supporters to remain calm, peaceful and engaged in their communities, while thanking voters, volunteers, party members and leaders who supported his candidacy.
He said he remained “proud of the campaign we ran” and expressed gratitude to those who believed in the alternative vision presented by his campaign.
