Osun: APC Rejects INEC Result, Says Adeleke Did Not Win Highest Valid Votes

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the declaration of Ademola Adeleke as the winner of the Osun State governorship election, insisting that its preliminary review suggests the governor did not obtain the highest number of valid votes.

The party’s Director-General of the Osun Governorship Campaign Council, Oluwole Oke, disclosed this while speaking on Arise TV on Monday night, stating that the APC had commenced a detailed examination of the election results and relevant electoral documents.

According to Ireporter Online, the APC has instructed its agents across the state to submit copies of Forms EC8A, EC8B and EC8C to the party secretariat for verification. The documents are expected to form part of the evidence the party will use in assessing the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Oke said the party would not rush to reach a conclusion or announce its next move until it had thoroughly examined the records from polling units, wards and local government collation centres.

“We do not agree with the declaration of INEC. That’s our position for now. We believe he did not score the highest valid votes,” Oke said.

He explained that the APC’s audit would involve reviewing electoral materials and comparing the results contained in the various forms with the outcome announced by INEC.

According to him, the party wants to establish the facts surrounding the election before deciding whether to pursue further action.

Oke said, “When you have a project of this nature with the outcome announced by INEC, we will not be in a haste, nor shall we be under pressure without doing the needful.”

He added that the party would evaluate the electoral process, obtain all relevant records and review the materials before forming its final position.

The APC campaign chief also disclosed that the party was examining issues that occurred before and during the election, including whether the process complied with the Electoral Act and other applicable laws.

He maintained that the party’s review would not be limited to the figures announced by INEC, stressing that other pre-election developments could also be relevant to its assessment of the poll.

Oke further dismissed claims that internal disagreements within the APC were responsible for the party’s performance, arguing that political parties often experience disagreements without necessarily affecting their ability to mobilise supporters during elections.

He also cited alleged divisions within the Accord Party, claiming that its chairman had publicly supported the APC candidate despite disagreements within the party.

The APC chieftain maintained that internal disputes were not unusual in politics and said parties could still unite around candidates during elections.

According to Ireporter Online, the APC is expected to announce its next course of action after completing its audit of the Osun election results and examining the relevant electoral materials.