• We’re studying the results, says campaign DG •ADC alleges victory collaboration as Adeleke refutes working with opposition • We’re finalising documentation of victims of election-related violence, Imole council •Davido hails uncle’s re-election, unveils plans for sports devt in state Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, yesterday, spoke for the first time since his defeat, saying he respected the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which declared Governor Ademola Adeleke winner of the election. But the Director-General of the APC governorship campaign, Wole Oke, said the party did not agree with INEC’s election results and declaration, and that its ongoing review would determine its next step. However, Oyebamiji in a message posted on X yesterday, three days after the August 15 governorship election, accepted defeat. Adeleke, candidate of the Accord Party, was declared winner of the governorship election after polling 511,067 votes to defeat Oyebamiji, who secured 444,815 votes. Oyebamiji commended the APC supporters and party leaders across the state for their commitment to his campaign, saying he remained grateful to those who believed in the alternative vision presented to voters. “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. Oyebamij noted that the end of the campaign did not mean the end of the issues and values for which his campaign stood. “The campaign has come to an end and the election is over, but the values and causes we championed are alive. We would continue to work for effective, inclusive and rapid development of our dear Osun,” he said. The APC candidate equally urged his supporters to remain peaceful and engaged in their communities, while asking them to continue working for the collective interest of the state. He, however, raised concerns over alleged attacks on APC members and supporters, saying the situation had worsened in the aftermath of the election. “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,” Oyebamiji said. He alleged that attacks on APC supporters recorded before the election had “taken another dimension in the last 24 hours.” Oyebamiji consequently called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to intervene, urging his supporters to remain calm as they go about their activities. He thanked voters, volunteers, party members and leaders who supported his candidacy, saying he remained “proud of the campaign we ran” and grateful for their confidence But Oke, who did not agree with INEC said the party would not be pressured into congratulating Adeleke over his victory. Oke stated this in an interview, saying the position of President Bola Tinubu, who had congratulated Adeleke was different from that of the party’s campaign team, which was “on the ground” and assessing the process. “And like I’ve told you that what we are doing, even for future, for records, is to conduct a thorough review of the entire process and then form our opinion. “We won’t be under any sort of pressure to easily reach out to congratulate Senator Ademola Adeleke. We do not agree with the declaration of INEC. That’s our position for now. We believe he did not score the highest valid votes,” he said. Oke said the APC campaign team was more concerned with reviewing the electoral process before making any decision. “When you have a project of this nature with the outcome announced by INEC, we will not be in a haste, nor shall we be under pressure without doing the needful,” he said. According to him, the party had commenced an audit of the election and directed its agents to submit relevant result sheets for scrutiny. “We have embarked on an audit process. We have asked all our party agents to submit copies of Forms EC8A, B, and C to our secretariat for review. We need to inspect the materials,” Oke said. Also, the APC Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, said the APC was still studying the results from all 332 wards. The party said an election was “a process that continues through the tribunal, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court,” adding that it would consult its lawyers and explore all legal options available under the Electoral Act if irregularities were discovered. Oke said the party would also examine issues arising from
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