Osun Polls: APC Won't Rush to Congratulate Adeleke, Cites Review

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State will not be pressured into congratulating Governor Ademola Adeleke on his election victory, according to the party's governorship campaign director-general, Oluwole Oke. Oke stated in an interview with Arise News that the APC is conducting a thorough review of the election results before determining its next steps.

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And like I’ve told you that what we are doing, even for future, for records, is to conduct a thorough review of the entire process and then form our opinion.

Oke clarified that President Bola Tinubu's congratulatory message to Adeleke, following the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) declaration, differs from the campaign team's stance. The team, being "on the ground," is assessing the electoral process. "We do not agree with the declaration of INEC. That's our position for now. We believe he did not score the highest valid votes," Oke asserted.

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We won’t be under any sort of pressure to easily reach out to congratulate Senator Ademola Adeleke.

INEC declared Adeleke the winner with 511,067 votes, defeating APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, who garnered 444,815 votes. Adeleke secured victory in 19 local government areas. Despite the official results, Oke emphasized that the APC campaign team is focused on reviewing the electoral process. "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," he said.

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We do not agree with the declaration of INEC. That’s our position for now. We believe he did not score the highest valid votes.

The APC has initiated an audit of the election, requesting all party agents to submit copies of result sheets for scrutiny. "We have embarked on an audit process. We have asked all our party agents to submit copies of Forms EC8A, B, and C to our secretariat for review. We need to inspect the materials," Oke added. The party also indicated it would consult its lawyers and explore all legal avenues under the Electoral Act if irregularities are discovered, considering the election process extends to tribunals and higher courts.

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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.