The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the just-concluded Osun State election, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, has urged party members and supporters to remain calm and peaceful following the outcome of the poll
Daily Trust reports that incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke who ran under the platform of Accord Party, secured 511,067 votes to defeat Oyebamiji who polled 444,815 votes
Oyebamiji, in a message to APC leaders, members and supporters in the state, said he respected the position of the electoral umpire while supporting the party’s decision to review the outcome of the election
He commended party members, leaders, volunteers and voters who supported his candidacy, saying their commitment and sacrifices throughout the campaign would remain cherished
“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
The APC candidate said the end of the campaign and election did not mean the end of the values and causes promoted by his campaign
According to him, he and his supporters would continue to work towards “effective, inclusive and rapid development” of Osun State
He urged party members and supporters to remain engaged, organised and committed to working for the collective interest of the state
Oyebamiji, however, expressed concern over what he described as a growing wave of hostility and violence against APC members and supporters following the election
He alleged that attacks on party members, which he said had been witnessed in the build-up to the election, had taken another dimension within the 24 hours after the poll
“The violence attacks on our members witnessed in the build-up to the election has taken another dimension in the last 24 hours,” he said
He therefore called on the Osun State Government, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to intervene immediately and halt what he described as an “ugly trend”
While appealing to his supporters to remain peaceful, Oyebamiji said they should continue their daily activities without resorting to violence
He expressed gratitude to every voter who supported his candidacy, as well as party members, leaders and volunteers who contributed to the campaign
“I remain proud of the campaign we ran and grateful for the confidence you reposed in me,” he said
Oyebamiji concluded by wishing his supporters, Osun State and Nigeria well