The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has cautioned the state governor, Ademola Adeleke, not to rejoice over the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state house of assembly election.

The party reminded him that the victory of his political party did not change his status as a sacked governor by virtue of the tribunal judgment delivered in January.

Recall that the Osun PDP recorded big upsets against the APC in the 2023 general elections.

Osun PDP had, in the February 25 presidential and 2023 National Assembly elections, cleared the three Senate seats and nine House of Representatives seats.

During the House of Assembly election on Saturday, March 18, the Osun PDP also won 25 seats of the 26-member Osun State House of Assembly, leaving only one—Boripe/Boluwaduro State Constituency—to the APC.

In a statement signed by the Osun APC acting chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, on Sunday, the party described the House of Assembly election as a facade that was characterized by violence, attacks, maiming, suppression, and intimidation of the voters of the APC by the thugs doing the bidding of the PDP.

According to the statement, “Adeleke and his co-travellers have been basking in the euphoria of the questionable electoral victory, claiming that it was as a result of his superlative performance within his 100 days in office.

“In order to add salt to an injury, Adeleke even went as far as asking the APC to join and identify with his interim administration, forgetting that his name is written with an erasable pencil as the governor of Osun State.”

While querying Adeleke for extending an olive branch to members of the opposition to work with him, Lawal maintained that it was abominable for him to dangle a bait at Adegboyega Oyetola, who is the valid winner of the Osun 2022 gubernatorial election.

“Adeleke should not be carried away by the disputable and suspicious victory of his party in the state assembly elections’ results, as they could not stand the rigorous legal hurdles at the tribunal,” Lawal cautioned.

Meanwhile, Governor Ademola Adeleke has extended an olive branch to members of the opposition in the state.

This was made known in a statement issued on Sunday by the spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed.

In the statement, Adeleke asked them to build a new Osun State with him.

“To my brothers and sisters in opposition, I extend hands of fellowship and brotherhood." Join me to build a new Osun state. Support the will of the people, as repeatedly demonstrated in the last three elections. As genuine Democrats have no power except what the people will, I urge all lovers of democracy to enter the Imole train.

“Osun people need all, both within and outside her political class, to unite for state development. You will find in me a listening and responsive chief executive. Our administration will remain committed to open, consultative, inclusive, and transparent governance.

“We will govern with the fear of God under the rule of law for the collective interest of all Osun people, irrespective of political or religious affiliations. Let all be assured that there is no victor and no vanquished,” he said.