The spokesperson for the Ademola Adeleke Governorship Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has withdrawn remarks he made against Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, over the governor’s conduct during the Osun State governorship election campaign.
Olajengbesi announced the withdrawal in a statement on Thursday, saying he was retracting comments that may have appeared disrespectful to the Edo governor.
“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 development followed a series of exchanges involving Okpebholo and supporters of Adeleke during and after the August 15 governorship election.
Okpebholo, who campaigned for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, had mocked Adeleke’s penchant for dancing during an APC campaign rally.
The Edo governor questioned whether Osun residents had become tired of seeing Adeleke dance, claiming that the governor danced before signing documents, before breakfast and before drinking tea.
Reacting to Okpebholo’s conduct, Olajengbesi had criticised the Edo governor, describing his behaviour during the election campaign as uncharitable.
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However, in his latest statement, the campaign spokesman said the election was now over and that political disagreements should not be allowed to undermine respect for public institutions.
“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,” Olajengbesi said.
He advised the Edo governor to communicate more through his media aides and reduce what he described as the activities of “two overzealous cheerleaders” around him.
Olajengbesi also pointed out that several prominent Nigerians and APC members participated in the Osun election campaign 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 said.
Olajengbesi urges Edo residents to hold Okpebholo accountable
Despite withdrawing the remarks, Olajengbesi maintained that citizens had a responsibility to hold elected officials accountable.
He urged residents of Edo State to continue scrutinising the performance of the governor, stressing that such oversight was an essential part of democratic governance.
“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 added.
The withdrawal comes amid continued political exchanges following the Osun governorship election, which Adeleke won to secure a second term in office.
The election campaign had featured sharp exchanges among political parties, candidates and their supporters, with the aftermath continuing to generate controversy.
Olajengbesi’s latest statement appears to signal an attempt to draw a line under his exchange with the Edo governor while maintaining his position that political leaders should be subjected to public scrutiny.
The development also comes days after Afrobeats singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, rejected calls for him to apologise to Okpebholo over an Instagram post concerning the Edo governor’s academic credentials.
