Osun Election: APC Rejects Adeleke’s Victory, Begins Review of INEC Results

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has refused to congratulate Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke after his re-election, saying the party is still examining the results and may pursue legal options over the outcome.

Oluwole Oke, Director-General of the APC governorship campaign in Osun State, said the party would not be pressured into accepting the result announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He said the campaign team believed Adeleke did not secure the highest number of valid votes.

“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 said in an interview with Arise News on Monday.

INEC declared Adeleke, who contested on the platform of the Accord Party, winner after he polled 511,067 votes. APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji finished second with 444,815 votes, while African Democratic Congress candidate Najeem Salaam came third with 17,180 votes.

Adeleke won 19 local government areas against Oyebamiji’s 11, giving the incumbent a margin of 66,252 votes. After his victory was declared, Adeleke said he expected his closest challenger to call and congratulate him, describing such a gesture as the “civilised thing to do.”

The APC campaign team, however, says its immediate priority is an audit of the election. Oke said party agents had been instructed to submit copies of Forms EC8A, EC8B and EC8C from across the state so the results can be independently reviewed.

The party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, also said the APC was studying results from all 332 wards. Oke added that the review would cover not only the voting and collation stages but also the pre-election period and compliance with the Electoral Act.

If the party identifies what it considers serious irregularities, Oke said the APC would consult its lawyers and consider the available legal avenues. He noted that the electoral dispute process could extend from the tribunal to the Court of Appeal and, where applicable, the Supreme Court.

The APC campaign chief also criticised Adeleke’s administration, pointing to what he described as failures in education, healthcare and support for farmers. He urged the public to allow the party to complete its review before it announces its next move.