Re-Election: APC Scribe, Basiru Visits Adeleke, Urges Osun APC Members To Close Ranks

The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has urged members of the party in Osun State to put the outcome of the August 15 governorship election behind them and close ranks ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Basiru made the call on Saturday while speaking with journalists after visiting Governor Ademola Adeleke at the Government House, Osogbo.

The APC national secretary acknowledged that the defeat of the party’s governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, was painful, noting that he personally campaigned extensively across the state for the candidate.

He, however, said the interest of Osun State should supersede partisan considerations, urging political leaders to work together for peace, development and better living conditions for the people.

“Yes, it is very painful for some of us that he defeated our party in the election. I campaigned in at least 12 local governments for my candidate and I deployed all resources to ensure that we won the election,” Basiru said.

He added that despite the defeat, there was no need for bitterness, stressing that the election had become a thing of the past.

“You can see that we won in Olorunda against Accord and narrowly they won Osogbo, but that is a thing of the past. Let us work together for the unity and progress of Osun State,” he said.

Basiru’s visit to Adeleke, according to him, was also a gesture of appreciation to the governor for visiting his family during the loss of his mother and attending the burial ceremony.

He said Adeleke’s conduct during the period demonstrated that political differences should not prevent people from showing compassion and maintaining cordial relationships.

The APC national secretary also called on the party’s members to unite and prepare for the presidential election, saying the party must deploy its structures across Osun State to secure victory for President Bola Tinubu.

“My message to my people in our APC is that we must close ranks and work together, work together to ensure victory for President Bola Tinubu in January 16th election,” he said.

Basiru further said Adeleke had reaffirmed his commitment to campaigning for Tinubu, adding that the governor’s support could significantly strengthen the President’s chances in Osun.

“I told you, Governor Adeleke has said before the election that he is going to work for the President and today he reassured me that he is going to be on the field to campaign vigorously for the President,” he said.

On the possibility of broad political collaboration, Basiru said the APC was working to bring members and structures of other political parties into the Tinubu campaign.

He cited developments in other states as evidence that politicians across party lines could work together in support of the President.

Basiru also appealed to stakeholders involved in the post-election crisis in Osun to embrace dialogue, particularly members of the NURTW involved in leadership disputes.

“I think the violence has subsided because they also want us to sustain that peace. Particularly the National Union of Road Transport Workers, we want to enjoin them to resolve whatever issues they have about leadership in a peaceful manner,” he said.

He urged Osun residents to reject further violence and focus on the development of the state.

According to him, the responsibility of political leaders after an election is to work towards improving the lives of the people, irrespective of who won or lost.

The APC national secretary stressed that accepting electoral defeat was an essential part of democratic practice.

“One of the things that Mr. President said when he visited was that when you are a democrat, you must also be able to say for victory and also endure when you have lost an election,” Basiru said.