Politics

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has urged members and leaders of the party to use the outcome of Saturday’s governorship election in the state to identify and address areas requiring improvement ahead of future elections.

Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, made the call while speaking with newsmen on Monday in Osogbo.

He said the election outcome should not be viewed solely from the perspective of victory or defeat, but as an opportunity for the APC to consolidate its gains and strengthen its structures.

Oyintiloye urged party members and leaders not to be dismayed by the outcome, but to remain united, disciplined and focused.

He also called on them to return to the grassroots, listen to the people and build on the momentum generated by the election.

He commended the intervention and support of President Bola Tinubu before and during the election, describing it as a significant demonstration of leadership and commitment to the growth of the party in the state.

Oyintiloye said Tinubu struck a balance between his role as party leader and Head of State, demonstrating the traits of a true democrat without being partisan.

According to him, the President’s intervention provided the APC family in Osun with renewed confidence and stronger hope, while energising the party’s various organs and structures across the state.

He described the commitment of the APC’s national leadership to the Osun project as commendable, noting that it contributed significantly to the mobilisation and renewed determination witnessed among party members and supporters during the election.

Oyintiloye said the APC’s performance, despite being the opposition party in the state, demonstrated that the party remained firmly rooted across Osun.

He noted that the party’s performance of more than 444,000 votes against an incumbent government was a significant political statement and evidence that the progressive family remained a formidable force in the state.

“This demonstrates that the APC is firmly on the ground and has a strong political structure capable of producing an even stronger outing in the 2027 general elections,” he said.

The APC chieftain also expressed appreciation to the immediate past governor of the state and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, for his steadfastness, encouragement and continued commitment to the progressive family in Osun.

He described Oyetola as a leader whose resilience and belief in the party’s future remained a source of encouragement to members and supporters across the state.

Oyintiloye also commended Hon. James Faleke for his inspiring gesture, party organisational experience and capacity for grassroots mobilisation.

He said Faleke’s contributions were strategically significant to the party’s structures, noting that his impact within the short period would remain indelible in the minds of stakeholders in the state.

He also appreciated the National Secretary of the APC, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, for his leadership role, contributions and continued efforts toward strengthening the party’s structures.

He said the contributions of the leaders, alongside those of other party leaders, stakeholders, candidates, members and supporters, deserved recognition and appreciation.

“Your sacrifices, commitment and encouragement did not go unnoticed. The result may not have been what we desired, but the political strength we have demonstrated is undeniable.

“Despite the outcome, we have built a strong political tower that will be difficult for any camp to defeat.

“What we have built is bigger than one election. We have strengthened our structures, tested our capacity and demonstrated our resilience.

“Our responsibility now is to learn from the outcome, remain united and prepare for the future.

“Politics is not about winning every election. It is about building enduring structures, maintaining the confidence of the people and remaining prepared for the next opportunity,” he said.

He said the party must use the experience to strengthen grassroots mobilisation, deepen internal cohesion and expand its engagement with the people ahead of future elections, particularly the 2027 general elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that INEC, in the early hours of Sunday, declared Adeleke the winner after polling 511,067 votes to defeat his closest rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 444,815 votes.

The INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, who declared the results at the INEC collation centre, said the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Najeem Salaam, came a distant third with 17,180 votes.

Ogunwole, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, said the total valid votes cast were 985,079, while 20,721 votes were rejected, bringing the total number of votes cast to 1,005,800.(NAN) 

M.P

Tags: APC osun election Oyintiloye

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