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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, has said that he was unaware a winner has emerged in Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
Adamu’s statement came after the party’s candidate, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, lost to the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ademola Adeleke, in Saturday’s governorship election.
Oyetola had polled 375,027 votes and won in 13 local government areas of the state to come second behind Adeleke in the election.
When asked to speak on the outcome of the election, Adamu who appeared on Arise TV on Sunday evening, denied having knowledge of the winner of the Osun State governorship election.
“With due respect, my dear brother, I am just really hearing this from you. I have not formally heard the announcement from INEC, which is the independent commission responsible for election in Nigeria.
“I have not heard from them yet. Once I hear formally from INEC, I can be in a position to answer this particular questio,” the APC chairman said.
When reminded that the results and breakdown of the ballots from the 30 local government areas were all over the pages of major newspapers across the country, Adamu remained adamant.
“Between me and you, I have not formally heard from INEC and I have not read the papers you are talking about. I do read some papers on my table before I have my breakfast but I haven’t done that today yet,” he said.
When prodded further on whether the party will accept defeat if he finally gets to see the result and breakdown of voting pattern, the Adamu stuck to his gun.
“I don’t like pre-empting my situation. You need to be patient. Since you got the result, wait for me too to receive it. You can get back to me and I will be willing to talk about it.
“Until I hear from INEC formally or my people in the control room confirm that it is the result, of course, I will abide by it. But hearing the result first from you is unacceptable. You are not INEC,” he said.
According to him, he is yet to even speak with Oyetoal after the election.
“I haven’t spoken to him yet,” he said.