Osun poll: Tinubu magnanimous, Ekiti was taken from me in 2018, Fayose

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has commented on the recent Osun State governorship election, describing President Bola Tinubu as "magnanimous" and suggesting the federal government could have intervened if it desired a different outcome. Fayose's remarks, made on TVC News, also touched upon his own past experiences with alleged federal interference.

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The federal government has come to do this. I want to say to you, if the federal government wants to take an election, they will take it.

Fayose drew a parallel between the Osun election and the 2018 Ekiti governorship election, which he claimed was "taken from me by all means possible." He recounted being effectively isolated in the Government House for three days prior to the election, with his communication lines jammed and security details withdrawn. Fayose alleged that security personnel prevented him from participating in a rally and physically assaulted him when he attempted to leave the Government House.

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Ekiti was taken from me in 2018. By all means possible.

In contrast, Fayose suggested the circumstances in Osun were different, implying a less forceful federal approach. He stated that if the federal government of the past wanted to win an election, "there's nothing you can do." He urged the incumbent Osun governor, Ademola Adeleke, who won the election, to be "magnanimous in victory," acknowledging the close nature of the contest.

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All my security details from whatever name you call it, I was left with an order. All of them were taken to police headquarters in Ado Ekiti and I was left on the field for three days.

The Osun election results showed Ademola Adeleke of the Accord party securing victory with 511,067 votes, defeating the APC candidate who received 444,815 votes. Adeleke won in 19 local government areas, while his opponent secured 11. Fayose's comments come in the context of discussions about political influence and electoral integrity in Nigeria.

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And I told them I am the governor of this state. An inspector told me, governor my foot. And they prevented me from coming out of the government house.