The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign in Osun State, Oluwole Oke, has explained why the party has yet to congratulate Governor Ademola Adeleke following his victory in the August 15 governorship election.
Speaking during an interview with Arise News on Monday, Oke said the APC was still examining the outcome of the poll and would determine its next line of action after reviewing the election records.
He noted that although President Bola Tinubu had congratulated Adeleke after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the result, the APC campaign organisation was focused on assessing the events surrounding the election before reaching a conclusion.
Oke said the party was conducting a thorough review of the entire electoral process and would not allow itself to be pressured into congratulating Adeleke.
He maintained that the APC did not agree with INEC’s declaration of Adeleke as the winner, arguing that the Accord candidate did not secure the highest number of valid votes.
INEC had declared Adeleke winner of the election with 511,067 votes, ahead of APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes, while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam, finished third with 17,180 votes. Adeleke won 19 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured 11, giving the governor a margin of 66,252 votes.
Oke said the campaign organisation had commenced an audit of the election and directed its agents across the state to submit copies of Forms EC8A, EC8B and EC8C for verification. He added that the review would cover the conduct of the election and events preceding the poll, with attention to compliance with the Electoral Act and other relevant laws.
He said the APC was also reviewing results from the 332 wards in the state and would consult its legal team before deciding whether to pursue the matter through the tribunal, Court of Appeal or Supreme Court.
Oke said the campaign organisation would not rush into taking any action until it had completed its assessment and formed an opinion on the outcome of the election.
The APC campaign chief also criticised the Adeleke administration, questioning its performance in sectors including education, healthcare and agriculture.
He urged APC members and supporters, as well as members of the public, to allow the party to complete its review of the election before announcing its next course of action.