The Media and Communications Office of Chief Peter Taiwo Ogundeji Apata has dismissed as false and misleading the vote figures allegedly allocated to the APC chieftain in the recently concluded All Progressives Congress senatorial primary for Osun West Senatorial District.
In a statement issued on Tuesday day, the media office described the figures circulating in a viral social media video as fictitious, insisting that Apata did not participate in the primary election after withdrawing from the race before the exercise.
The statement explained that Apata stepped down from the contest on May 17, 2026, following consultations and intervention by former Osun State Governor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola.
According to the statement, the decision was taken in the interest of party unity, stability and cohesion ahead of future electoral contests in the state.
The media office said it was unfortunate that vote figures were being attributed to an aspirant who had publicly withdrawn from the race prior to the primary election.
It added that the development was an attempt to distort Apata’s political standing and grassroots strength across Osun West Senatorial District.
The statement maintained that before his withdrawal, Apata was widely regarded as one of the leading contenders in the race and strategically positioned for victory.
It further noted that his decision to step aside was not due to political weakness but a sacrifice aimed at preserving peace within the party.
The media office also stated that Apata was the only aspirant who toured all the ten local government areas in Osun West during the consultation period, meeting party leaders, stakeholders, youths, women groups and supporters across the district.
According to the statement, the APC chieftain also used the consultations to mobilise support for the party’s governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The statement described Apata as a formidable political force with strong grassroots appeal, philanthropic influence and a disciplined approach to politics.
It stressed that no propaganda or misinformation could diminish the support and goodwill he enjoys across Osun West Senatorial District.
The media office urged supporters and party members to remain calm and committed to the success of the APC in the forthcoming governorship election and future political engagements in Osun State.
This scenario is not only extremely pathetic and regrettably unfortunate but also ridiculously redundant. The author and brains behind such a propaganda are not only anti Democrats but also enemies of Nigeria and adversaries of renewed hope agenda of President Bola Amed Tinubu. They are the most shameless members or symphatizers of APC.