The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State in Saturday’s election, Teslim Folarin, has congratulated Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party, who was declared winner of the poll.
The PUNCH reports that Makinde polled 563,756 votes to defeat Folarin, who scored 256,685 votes. The candidate of Accord Party, Adebayo Adelabu, polled 38,357 votes to emerge third.
Folarin, in a statement on Monday, which he personally signed, said, “It is God that gives power and takes power! May Oyo State and our people continue to prosper.”
He added that “In line with the official pronouncement of the Independent National Electoral Commission, I hereby congratulate Seyi Makinde.
“I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the electorate for their support for all APC candidates on February 25 and March 18 elections. May God Bless you all.
“I congratulate Makinde and appreciate the state voters, APC members and other supportive stakeholders. To whom much is given, much is expected. It is on this note that I am offering my solemn gratitude to leaders and members of our great party, the APC; the coalition parties, candidates of other political parties that worked for us, volunteers, the press as well as individuals that contributed to the Itesiwaju Ipinle Oyo 2023 project.”
Meanwhile, Folarin on Monday dissociated himself from a trending video blaming President-elect, Bola Tinubu and other APC chieftains for his loss.
In another statement he personally signed, Folarin said,”My attention has been drawn to a trending 2:04-minute video, blaming the President-elect, Tinubu, and other APC chieftains for the outcome of Saturday, March 18, governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state.
“I strongly dissociate myself from the trending video. It was produced by my sworn enemies with the sole intention to drive wedges in my relationships with our highly revered leader, Asiwaju, and other party stakeholders. I reiterate, it is only God that gives and takes power.”
