• Says APC still examining results, to communicate decision soon
• Says Tinubu urged peaceful conduct after meeting with him
All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the August 15 Osun State governorship election, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, has raised the alarm over alleged fresh attacks on members of his party in the state, urging Governor Ademola Adeleke to call his supporters to order.
Oyebamiji spoke on Friday after meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, days after he was defeated by Adeleke in the keenly contested governorship poll.
Recounting his meeting with the President, Oyebamiji said Tinubu urged him and other stakeholders to prioritise peace, stressing that government was ultimately about the people.
“I met with our Father, the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, and what Baba said was that the most important thing is to run every election with peaceful mind,” Oyebamiji said.
“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, and I want to appeal to our people in Osun that they need to be peaceful.”
Adeleke, who contested on the platform of the Accord Party, was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), securing 511,067 votes against Oyebamiji’s 444,815 votes.
The result gave Adeleke a winning margin of 66,252 votes, with the incumbent securing victory in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.
Despite the defeat, Oyebamiji said the APC was still examining the election results and would communicate its position after completing its review.
“For now, the APC is still examining the books, and by the time we spread our sheet, we’ll be able to get back to the public on what our own opinion and what decisions we want to take,” he said.
He urged APC members and other residents of Osun State to remain calm, stressing that the party would take its decision after completing its assessment of the election.
“But the take home is that they should be calm. They should be calm,” he said.
Oyebamiji also appealed to Adeleke to speak to his supporters and help prevent further violence in the state.
“I want to advise the governor too that it’s important for him to talk to his people. Violence is against our people. It’s not too good, and he needs to talk to them so that each and every one of us can be on the same page,” he said.
The APC candidate’s appeal came amid his allegation of fresh attacks on party members following the election.
Asked to provide details, Oyebamiji said some people were attacked in his hometown, Ikire, on Friday morning.
“Well, yes, even as at this morning in my own village, Ikire, some were attacked. About four or five people were attacked. We have informed the security operatives accordingly. That’s what I have to say about that,” he said.
The allegation comes as political tensions remain elevated in the state following the closely fought election, with the APC yet to announce its final position after reviewing the results.
(The Sun)