Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesperson for The Imole Campaign Council (TICC), has apologised to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo and withdrawn remarks he made about the governor during the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
TICC led the campaign for the re-election of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Ahead of the election, supporters of Adeleke and Bola Oyebamiji, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and Adeleke’s major challenger, exchanged criticisms and campaign banter.
Okpebholo, alongside other APC governors and party leaders including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, had visited Osun days before the election for the APC mega rally.
During the visit, Okpebholo mocked Adeleke over his well-known dancing, questioning the governor’s leadership style while campaigning for Oyebamiji.
“Before somebody sign paper, he will dance, are you not tired? For four years, this man has been dancing, before he take breakfast, before he drink tea, he will dance,” Okpebholo said.
His comments triggered reactions from Adeleke’s supporters, including Olajengbesi and David Adeleke, the governor’s cousin.
Olajengbesi Withdraws Remarks
In a statement on Thursday, Olajengbesi apologised to Okpebholo, saying political disagreements should not lead to disrespect for public institutions or the offices held by elected officials.
“I personally withdraw my earlier remarks that may have appeared disrespectful to the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo,” he said.
Olajengbesi maintained that he considered Okpebholo’s conduct during the Osun election uncharitable but said the election was now over and the political dispute should move forward.
He also advised the Edo governor to rely more on his media aides and reduce what he described as the activities of “two overzealous cheerleaders” around him.
The lawyer noted that several prominent Nigerians and respected APC members were also in Osun during the election and worked hard for the party without publicly disrespecting Adeleke or diminishing the dignity of his office.
“I therefore withdraw any statement that may have appeared unduly insulting or disrespectful,” Olajengbesi added.
However, he urged Edo residents to continue holding Okpebholo accountable, stressing that citizens have a responsibility to demand accountability from their elected leaders in a democracy.
Source: Pelumi Olajengbesi / The Imole Campaign Council
