The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the just-concluded Osun State governorship election, Bola Oyebamiji, has appealed for peace among political actors and residents following reports of fresh violence in the state, Peak Newspaper reports
Oyebamiji made the appeal on Friday after meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he said about four or five people were attacked in his village earlier that morning.
The APC candidate said the incident had been reported to security operatives, while urging Governor Ademola Adeleke to caution his supporters against acts that could further heighten tension in the state.
“I want to advise the governor that it is important to talk to his people. Violence kills our people and it’s not too good,” Oyebamiji said.
He added that political leaders should work towards calming their supporters and ensuring that the aftermath of the election does not lead to further violence.
“He should talk to them so that all of us will be on the same page. Even this morning, about four or five people were attacked in my village. We have informed the security operatives.”
Tinubu’s Advice to Oyebamiji
Oyebamiji said his meeting with President Tinubu also focused on the need for political actors to approach the post-election period with a peaceful mindset.
According to him, the President stressed that governance is ultimately about the people and that peace should therefore remain a priority regardless of the outcome of an election.
“I met with the President, and what he said was that the most important thing is to run every election with a peaceful mind.”
Oyebamiji said he was appealing to residents of Osun State to remain calm and avoid actions that could threaten the peace of the state.
“It is important for us Nigerians to know that government is about the people, and because of that, it is important that we should be peaceful. I want to appeal to our people in Osun that they need to be peaceful.”
APC Still Reviewing Election Result
The APC candidate also disclosed that the party has not yet taken a final position on the outcome of the August 15 governorship election.
Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party was declared the winner of the election, securing a second term in office.
Oyebamiji said the APC is currently reviewing the election results and examining the relevant records before deciding on its next step.
He assured journalists that the party would make its position known publicly once the review is completed.
The meeting with Tinubu came barely 24 hours after Adeleke visited the President at the Presidential Villa and presented his Certificate of Return following his victory.
Oyebamiji’s latest comments come amid calls for political actors in Osun to ensure that disagreements arising from the election do not result in further confrontation or violence.
