The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, Bola Oyebamiji, has broken his silence following his defeat by the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke.
Oyebamiji, in a statement posted on his verified X handle on Tuesday, said he respected the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the outcome of the election.
INEC declared Adeleke of the Accord Party the winner after he secured 511,067 votes, defeating Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes.
Reacting to the result, the APC candidate thanked party leaders, supporters and members across Osun State for their commitment and dedication throughout the campaign.
Oyebamiji said he remained grateful to everyone who believed in the alternative vision his campaign presented to the electorate.
“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.
READ ALSO: Adeleke Defeats Oyebamiji, Wins Second Term As Osun Governor
The former Commissioner also acknowledged the efforts of APC members who worked to secure victory for the party during the election.
He maintained that although the election and campaign had ended, the issues and principles that guided his campaign remained relevant to the development of the state.
“The campaign has come to an end and the election is over, but the values and causes we championed are alive,” Oyebamiji said.
He pledged to continue advocating for what he described as effective, inclusive and rapid development of Osun State.
“We will continue to work for effective, inclusive and rapid development of our dear Osun,” he added.
Oyebamiji’s statement comes amid the APC’s ongoing review of the election result and the circumstances surrounding Adeleke’s re-election.
While acknowledging INEC’s declaration, the APC candidate’s remarks indicate that the party has not completely closed the chapter on the election, with its leadership expected to determine its next course of action after reviewing the outcome.
Adeleke was declared winner of the election after defeating Oyebamiji by 66,252 votes, securing another term as governor of Osun State.