The All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate in the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, Bola Oyebamiji, has reacted to his defeat by incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, saying he respects the result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Oyebamiji made his position known on Tuesday through a statement on his verified X account, thanking party leaders, members and supporters across Osun State for their efforts throughout the campaign.
INEC declared Adeleke the winner of the election after he secured 511,067 votes, while Oyebamiji polled 444,815 votes.
Following the declaration, Oyebamiji said he appreciated the people who supported his campaign and those who believed in the alternative programme he presented during the election.
He said although the outcome was not what his campaign had expected, he accepted INEC’s declaration and supported the decision of the APC to review the result.
Oyebamiji also said the conclusion of the election would not end his commitment to the issues he raised during the campaign.
According to him, the campaign focused on better governance and development for the people of Osun, and those goals would remain relevant even after the election.
He said he would continue to support efforts aimed at improving the state and promoting development that would benefit people across different parts of Osun.
The APC candidate also thanked party members and supporters who stood by him during the election period, noting that their dedication contributed to the campaign.
His reaction came shortly after INEC formally announced Adeleke as the winner of the governorship contest.
The election has generated political reactions across the country, with various political figures and groups offering different views on the result and its implications for future elections.
For Oyebamiji, however, the immediate focus is on the APC’s review of the election outcome and keeping alive the issues his campaign presented to voters.
The APC candidate’s acceptance of the electoral declaration does not prevent the party from taking further steps after its review of the results, should it decide to challenge any aspect of the process through the appropriate channels.