The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has said it is studying the results of the August 15 governorship election across the state’s 332 wards before deciding on its next line of action.
The party, in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, on Sunday, said it would consult its legal team to determine whether there were grounds to challenge the outcome within the constitutional timeframe provided by law.
The APC said the party was aware that the electoral process did not end with the declaration of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission, noting that dissatisfied parties could seek redress through the election tribunal and higher courts.
According to the party, it would explore all available legal avenues under the Electoral Act and the Constitution after receiving professional advice from its lawyers.
The statement came a day after the Accord Party candidate and incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, was declared winner of the election by INEC.
Adeleke polled 511,067 votes to defeat the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes.
Despite its reservations about the election, the APC said it remained committed to the rule of law, fairness and justice, stressing that it would not resort to actions outside the law.
The party commended its members and supporters for their commitment throughout the electioneering period and urged them to remain calm while the leadership reviews the results.
“We are imploring our ever loyal members and supporters to remain cool and calm while they carry on with their businesses and refuse to respond to any provocative action or inaction from any of the members of the ruling party across the state,” the statement said.
The APC also called on the Nigeria Police Force to protect its members and supporters, alleging that some of them had been subjected to harassment following the election.
The party assured its supporters that it would not abandon them and urged them not to lose hope over the outcome of the poll.
The APC maintained that the current political situation was temporary and expressed confidence that justice would ultimately prevail.
“An election cannot be said to have been concluded without having explored all these constitutionally allowed legal opportunities to correct anomalies observed in the process of the election,” the party stated.
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