Politics
Oyebamiji congratulates Adeleke
THE All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the August 15 Osun State governorship election, Bola Oyebamiji, has congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election.
However, he urged security agencies to fish out the people behind the killings that characterized the poll.
Oyebamiji also called for an immediate end to alleged killings, harassment and attacks on his party members and supporters.
The governorship candidate, in a statement issued on Saturday in Osogbo to mark the 35th anniversary of the creation of Osun State, urged Adeleke, as the state’s Chief Security Officer, to take steps within his constitutional powers to protect lives and property during the post-election period.
“In the spirit of democracy and as we commemorate the 35th anniversary of the creation of our dear Osun State, I congratulate Gov. Ademola Adeleke on his victory in the Aug. 15 governorship election as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“At the same time, I call on Mr Governor, as the Chief Security Officer of the state, to do everything within his constitutional responsibility to protect the lives and property of all citizens, particularly during this sensitive post-election period,” he said.
Oyebamiji’s statement comes amid heightened political tensions in parts of Osun following the election, with rival political camps trading allegations of attacks and intimidation.
He urged APC members not to be discouraged by the outcome of the poll, asking them to remain resolute and maintain confidence in institutions established to protect democratic rights.
He, however, alleged that APC members and supporters were being subjected to killings, harassment and intimidation, and called for an immediate end to such incidents.
“The senseless killings, harassment and intimidation of members and supporters of our party must stop forthwith. Attacks on innocent citizens and their businesses must not be allowed to continue,” Oyebamiji said.
The APC candidate also expressed concern over alleged attacks on small and medium-sized businesses based on the perceived political affiliations or political allegiance of their owners.
He condemned such attacks, saying they were unacceptable in a state seeking to promote economic growth, attract investment and create sustainable employment opportunities.
“The provision of security and a conducive environment for businesses to thrive is not negotiable,” he said.
Oyebamiji commended APC members for what he described as their courage, resilience and steadfast commitment to the party and its Prosperity Agenda.
According to him, democracy should serve as a means of advancing the aspirations and welfare of the people rather than an end in itself.
“We will therefore continue to march forward with faith and determination towards a greater Osun. A state where our collective resources are equitably deployed, and where governance serves the greater good of our people rather than narrow interests,” he said.
The governorship candidate said the election had ended with INEC’s declaration of the result, adding that the APC had commenced consultations with party elders and other stakeholders on the way forward.
He said the party, in keeping with its commitment to the rule of law, would pursue justice and fairness through lawful and constitutional means, particularly concerning the electoral process.
He also called on APC leaders, members and supporters to begin mobilisation for the 2027 general elections, including President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid and other APC candidates.
Oyebamiji urged party members to close ranks, strengthen the party’s structures and work towards securing victories for the APC in Osun State in 2027.
The ICIR reports that his statement comes amid heightened political tensions in parts of Osun following the election, with rival political camps trading allegations of attacks and intimidation.
The APC candidate commended party members for their courage, resilience and commitment to the party values.
He said democracy should be used to advance the aspirations and welfare of citizens, rather than become a source of division and violence.
Oyebamiji’s call comes weeks after a viral video showed an APC senator representing Osun East Senatorial District, Francis Fadahunsi, addressing party supporters in Ilesa and telling them to kill members of the rival Accord Party whenever they encountered them.
The remarks triggered widespread condemnation and led to the Osun State Police Command inviting Fadahunsi for questioning over the alleged incitement.
Fadahunsi later denied calling for physical violence, saying his kill Accord remark was intended to mean defeating the incumbent governor’s party at the polls with votes.
The reported that INEC declared Adeleke winner of the governorship election in the early hours of August 16, as he polled 511,067 votes to defeat Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes.
The INEC Returning Officer, Joshua Ogunwole, who announced the results at the commission’s collation centre, said the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam, came third with 17,180 votes.
Nanji is an investigative journalist with the ICIR. She has years of experience in reporting and broadcasting human angle stories, gender inequalities, minority stories, and human rights issues. She has documented sexual war crimes in armed conflict, sex for grades in Nigerian Universities, harmful traditional practices and human trafficking.
