Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has said he expects his opponent in the August 15 governorship election, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to call and congratulate him following his victory at the polls.
Adeleke made the remarks while speaking with journalists after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him the winner of the election.
However, the APC has indicated that it may challenge aspects of the election result through the appropriate legal channels.
In a statement issued by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the APC said its leadership was studying the results recorded across the 332 wards in the state to determine the next steps available to it under the law.
Olabisi said the party would rely on the advice of its legal team before deciding whether to pursue legal action.
He noted that an election process does not necessarily end with the declaration of results, stressing that aggrieved parties have constitutionally recognised avenues through which they can seek redress.
According to him, the electoral process begins with voter registration and party primaries and continues through the conduct of the election and, where necessary, proceedings before the Election Petition Tribunal, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
The APC spokesman said the party would explore the legal opportunities available to it under the Electoral Act and other relevant laws if its legal team found sufficient grounds to do so.
He said, “We are not unaware of the fact that election is a process which begins at the registration of the voters through the primary election to the election proper, which extends to the Tribunal, the Appeal Court and terminates at the Supreme Court.
“An election cannot be said to have been concluded without having explored all these constitutionally allowed legal opportunities to correct anomalies observed in the process of the election as enshrined in the Electoral Act 2026, as amended.”
The party also commended its members and supporters for their commitment throughout the election process, describing their support as significant to the party’s participation in the poll.
Olabisi maintained that the APC, as a party committed to the rule of law, fairness and justice, would not hesitate to take advantage of the legal avenues provided by law after consulting with its lawyers.
He described INEC’s declaration of Adeleke as a development that reflected the democratic process, while stressing that the outcome would not prevent the party from pursuing lawful remedies where necessary.
The APC further appealed to its members and supporters to remain calm and conduct themselves peacefully as the party considers its next move.
It also called on the Nigeria Police Force to protect its members and supporters who, according to the party, had allegedly been subjected to harassment and molestation by supporters of the ruling party.
“We are imploring our ever loyal members and supporters to remain cool and calm while they carry on with their businesses and refuse to respond to any provocative action or inaction from any of the members of the ruling party across the state,” Olabisi said.
He urged party members not to lose hope, saying the APC would continue to stand by them as it considers the available legal options.
“It is necessary to assure our members and supporters not to despair about the current situation and have it in mind that it is not over until it is over,” he added.
The APC also appealed to the police to intervene where necessary and protect its members from alleged attacks, assuring its supporters that the party would not abandon them.
The development comes after INEC declared Adeleke the winner of the Osun governorship election, setting the stage for a possible legal battle if the APC eventually decides to challenge the outcome.
