Ajimobi accepts defeat, congratulates Balogun, others

Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has congratulated Dr Kola Balogun of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who defeated him in the senatorial election.

This was contained in a statement signed by Ajimobi’s Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr Bolaji Tunji, in Ibadan on Monday.

Our correspondent reports that the INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Wole Akinsola, had declared Balogun winner of the Oyo South Senatorial election having polled 105,720 votes against Ajimobi 92,218 votes.

Ajimobi, who described the loss of the seat as unfortunate, added that no sacrifice was too much for a leader to make.

“The results of the Oyo South Senatorial District election have been released by INEC indicating that I lost to the PDP Candidate.

“I hereby accept the result as announced. Although there were a number of grievous infractions and established electoral malpractices, I have decided to let go in the interest of peace.

“I, therefore, congratulate the declared winner, Dr Kola Balogun and our APC Senators-elect, Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari and Teslim Folarin.

“If I lose the ticket and the party was able to gain, then it is nothing to feel sad about. APC has done well but we can always do better.

“If we won two out of the three Senatorial seats and we picked nine out of 14 federal constituency seats, then we should congratulate ourselves,” he said.

The governor expressed appreciation to the people of the state for their peaceful conduct and turnout during the elections.

Ajimobi said that the people of the state have shown their love for the APC by voting massively for President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC candidates in the elections.

He said that the APC would be victorious also in the presidential poll from the results released so far nationwide.

“We appreciate our people for coming out last Saturday, which led to APC winning two out of the three Senatorial and nine out of the 14 Federal Constituency seats in the state.

“The victory has shown the unassailable leadership of the APC in Oyo State.

“It has also shown that our people are appreciative of the developmental strides of the APC in the state and the country at large.

“We have taken Oyo State to an unprecedented level in terms of massive infrastructural renewal. Most importantly, we have ensured peace in the state,” he said.

Ajimobi enjoined all APC members to be more prepared for the March 9 governorship election, stressing that the battle was not over yet.

“With the impressive results we currently have, we should proudly go forth with greater sense of confidence and unity of purpose.

“Let us work together to ensure victory for our governorship candidate, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and all our candidates for the House of Assembly,” he said.

Ajimobi emphasized that the loss of Oyo South Senatorial seat would not deter him from his firm resolve and that of the APC to work for the party’s victory in the governorship election.

“To the teeming members and supporters of our party who came out in their thousands to show their preference for the APC, I thank you.

“I urge you to keep the faith especially as we look forward to the governorship and the House of Assembly elections,” he said.