The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election, Bola Oyebamiji, has congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election, while urging party members to regroup ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Oyebamiji made the remarks on Saturday while addressing APC leaders, members and supporters in Osogbo following the party’s defeat at the governorship poll.
The APC candidate said the outcome of the election was not the end of the road for the party, urging members to remain committed to the political process and begin preparations for the next electoral contest.
He congratulated Adeleke “in the spirit of democracy” following the declaration of the result by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Adeleke, the Accord Party candidate, secured 511,067 votes to defeat Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes.
While accepting the outcome, Oyebamiji called on the governor to use his constitutional powers to protect the lives and property of residents, particularly amid concerns over alleged post-election violence, harassment and intimidation of APC members and supporters.
He also called for investigations into reported deaths linked to the election period and urged an end to political violence in the state.
Despite the defeat, Oyebamiji urged APC members not to lose confidence in the party or democratic institutions.
He directed party members to close ranks, strengthen the APC’s structures and commence mobilisation for the 2027 general election.
The APC candidate also called for renewed efforts to secure victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other APC candidates in Osun State.
The development marks a shift from the immediate post-election period, when Oyebamiji had backed his party’s decision to review the election result. He has now publicly congratulated Adeleke while maintaining that the APC remains committed to pursuing justice and fairness through lawful and constitutional means.
Adeleke was declared winner of the August 15 election after defeating Oyebamiji and other candidates in the keenly contested poll. His victory gives him another four-year term as governor of Osun State.