The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the August 15 Osun State election, Bola Oyebamiji, has raised the alarm over alleged attacks on members and supporters of the party following the election.
Oyebamiji urged the Osun State Government and security agencies to intervene, warning that hostility towards APC members had intensified since the poll.
He made the call in a statement posted on X on Tuesday, addressed to APC members, supporters and leaders across the state.
The election was won by the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, but Oyebamiji said he respected the position of the electoral umpire while backing the APC’s decision to review the result.
He said, “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.”
Oyebamiji thanked voters, APC members, leaders and campaign volunteers for supporting his bid, saying he appreciated their confidence in the alternative vision his campaign presented to the people of Osun.
He maintained that the end of the election should not bring an end to efforts aimed at improving the state.
Oyebamiji stated, “However, 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 also urged APC members and supporters to remain involved in their communities and continue working for the interests of the people.
However, the APC candidate expressed concern over what he described as renewed attacks on party members after the election.
He said, “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.”
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According to Oyebamiji, incidents of violence against APC members during the election build-up had worsened within 24 hours of the poll.
He added, “The violence attacks on our members witnessed in the build-up to the election has taken another dimension in the last 24 hours.”
He consequently called on the police and other security agencies to respond immediately to the situation.
He said, “Consequently, I urge the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to intervene and arrest this ugly trend without delay.”
Oyebamiji also appealed to his supporters to remain calm and peaceful as they carried out their activities in the aftermath of the election.
He thanked APC members and supporters for their commitment throughout the campaign, saying he remained proud of the campaign they ran.
Adeleke won the election with 511,067 votes, defeating Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes. The margin between the two candidates was 66,252 votes.
The incumbent secured victory in 19 of Osun’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.
The result secured Adeleke a second term in office, following his victory over the APC’s Gboyega Oyetola in the 2022 governorship election.
Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, served as Commissioner for Finance under former Osun governors Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola. He later became Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority.