The All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign organisation in Osun State has rejected the results of the 15 August governorship election, stating it will not be pressured into congratulating Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Adeleke, the Accord candidate, victorious after he secured 511,067 votes across 19 local government areas. His main rival, APC’s Bola Oyebamiji, won 11 local government areas with 444,815 votes, leaving a margin of 66,252 votes. ADC’s Najeem Salaam finished third with 17,180 votes.
Following his declaration, Governor Adeleke publicly stated that he expected Oyebamiji to call and congratulate him, calling it the “civilised thing to do.”
However, speaking in an interview with Arise News on Monday, the Director-General of the APC governorship campaign, Oluwole Oke, insisted that the party believes Adeleke “did not score the highest valid votes.” Oke clarified that whilst President Bola Tinubu had already congratulated the governor, the local campaign team, which remains “on the ground”, holds a different stance and is conducting a thorough review.
“We won’t be under any sort of pressure to easily reach out to congratulate Senator Ademola Adeleke,” Oke said.
Oke confirmed that the party has launched a formal audit of the election, ordering party agents to submit Form EC8A, B, and C result sheets for inspection. He stressed that the team will examine pre-election affairs, voting procedures, and the administration’s performance in education, healthcare, and agricultural support before determining its next move.
“When you have a project of this nature with the outcome announced by INEC, we will not be in a haste, nor shall we be under pressure without doing the needful,” Oke added. “Until we do that and form our opinion, we won’t be able to go further to say anything on this.”
Echoing Oke’s remarks, the APC’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, noted that the party is currently studying results across all 332 wards. He highlighted that election outcomes can be challenged through the tribunal, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court, confirming that the APC will consult its legal team and explore options under the Electoral Act if irregularities are confirmed.
Oke requested that the public allow the APC sufficient time to complete its comprehensive assessment before any formal decisions are announced.