Ololade Adeyanju/
Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has received accolades for taking the lead in demonstrating the right example for other politicians to emulate by being the first to concede defeat and congratulate the winner of the Oyo South Senatorial seat.
The commendation was given by erudite professor of law and former Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Prof. Akin Oyebode, on a programme, The Verdict, monitored on Channels TV this morning.
Ajimobi shortly after the announcement of results of the senatorial election has issued a statement through his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Bolaji Tunji, congratulating the winner, Dr. Muhammed Kola-Balogun.
Oyebode praised Ajimobi for his gallantry and for setting the right tone for others to follow.
While responding to a question from one of the anchors on what should be the attitude of politicians after the elections, Oyebode said politicians should see opposition as opposition of ideology and not a war.
He further stated: “But here politicians take it as fight in which you have to put on gloves and knock out your opponent. But the ideal thing is for the loser to accept defeat and the winner to demonstrate magnanimity and accommodate the loser.
“Only Governor (Abiola) Ajimobi had done so. He has conceded defeat and congratulated the winner. He demonstrated gallantry and has set the right example. He was the first to tell his people that he had done his best and wished the winner well. He was very gallant.”
The statement by Ajimobi reads in part: “The results of the Oyo South Senatorial District election have been released by INEC indicating that I lost to the PDP Candidate.
“I hereby accept the result as announced. Although there were a number of grievous infractions and established electoral malpractices. I have decided to let go in the interest of peace.
“I, therefore, congratulate the declared winner, Dr Kola Balogun and our APC Senators-elect, Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari and Teslim Folarin.
“If I lose the ticket and the party was able to gain, then it is nothing to feel sad about. APC has done well but we can always do better.”
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