Oluseye Ojo and Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan
Oyo State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Oyo South Senatorial District in last Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections, Abiola Ajimobi, has said loss of the senatorial seat to People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate would not deter him from working hard for APC’s victory in the governorship election.
Ajimobi, who congratulated the PDP candidate, Kola Balogun, also thanked the people for their peaceful conduct and large turnout during the elections.
A statement by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Bolaji Tunji, quoted the governor as saying the people have shown their love for the APC, by voting massively for President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC candidates in the elections.
The governor equally congratulated the APC and its candidates in the state, who picked nine out of the available 14 federal constituency seats and two out of the three senatorial seats.
Ajimobi said: “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 party in the state and the country at large.”
The governor described the loss of the Oyo South senatorial seat as unfortunate, but noted that no sacrifice is too much for a leader to make.
“The results of the Oyo South senatorial district election have been released by the 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’ve decided to let go in the interest of peace.
“I, therefore, congratulate the declared winner, Balogun and our APC senators-elect in Oyo Central, Teslim Folarin, who is a former senate leader, and Oyo North, Abdulfatai Buhari, the current Senate Committee chairman on Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Cybercrime,” he said.
Ajimobi, who was in the senate between 2003 and 2007, became governor in 2011 and will complete his second term in office on May 29.
The Returning Officer for the senatorial poll, Prof. Wole Akinsola of the University of Ibadan, declared Balogun winner, yesterday afternoon. The result of election showed that Balogun polled 105,720 votes and Ajimobi scored 92,218 votes.
Senator Adedoji Akanbi of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) came third with 49,437 votes.
Action Democratic Party’s (ADP) candidate, Dr. Fola Akinosun, had 13,149 votes.
In Oyo North senatorial district, Buhari polled 107,703 votes to defeat Mrs. Mulikat Akande-Adeola of the PDP, who scored 89,365 votes.
In Oyo Central, Folarinpolled 91,080 votes to win the election. His closest rival, Bisi Ilaka of PDP scored 83,600 votes, while the candidate of Action Democratic Party (ADP), Temitope Olatoye, had 41,377 votes. ADC candidate also polled 41,657 votes.
Meanwhile, Oyo State chapter of the APC has hailed the people for their overwhelming votes, support and demonstration of loyalty in the presidential and national assembly polls held at the weekend.
The party also commended its followers and supporters for ensuring the party triumphed during the polls.