The spokesperson for the Ademola Adeleke Governorship Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has withdrawn comments he made about Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, during the Osun governorship election campaign.
In a statement on Thursday, Olajengbesi said he was pulling back remarks that may have come across as disrespectful to Okpebholo, who was in Osun to campaign for the APC ahead of the August 15 election.
“I personally withdraw my earlier remarks that may have appeared disrespectful to the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo,” he said.
The retraction follows a back-and-forth between Okpebholo and Adeleke’s supporters during and after the poll. Okpebholo had mocked Adeleke’s dancing at an APC rally in Osun, asking if voters were tired of the governor who “danced before signing documents, before breakfast and before drinking tea.”
Olajengbesi said while he viewed Okpebholo’s conduct as “uncharitable,” the election was over and political differences should not erode respect for public offices.
“Governor Monday Okpebholo was in Osun State for the election and, in my view, conducted himself in a very uncharitable manner. But the election is now over,” he said.
He also advised the Edo governor to channel communications through his media aides and to rein in what he called “two overzealous cheerleaders” around him.
Olajengbesi noted that other prominent Nigerians and APC leaders campaigned in Osun without publicly disrespecting Adeleke or undermining the dignity of his office.
“I therefore withdraw any statement that may have appeared unduly insulting or disrespectful. Political disagreements should never prevent us from respecting public institutions and the offices people occupy,” he added.
The statement comes after Adeleke’s victory in the Osun election, which secured him a second term.
Olajengbesi further urged residents of Edo State to keep holding Okpebholo accountable, saying it was a core part of democratic responsibility.
“I equally encourage the good people of Edo State to continue to hold their Governor accountable. That is the responsibility of citizens in every democracy,” he said.
The development comes days after singer Davido rejected calls to apologise to Okpebholo over an Instagram post questioning the governor’s academic credentials.
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