The spokesperson for the Ademola Adeleke Governorship Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has withdrawn remarks he made against Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo over the latter’s conduct during the Osun governorship election campaign.
Olajengbesi, in a statement on Thursday, said he was withdrawing remarks that may have appeared disrespectful to Okpebholo, who was in Osun State campaigning for the All Progressives Congress during the August 15 governorship election.
“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 withdrawal followed a series of exchanges involving Okpebholo and supporters of Adeleke during and after the election, after the Edo governor mocked Adeleke’s dancing during an APC campaign rally in Osun.
Okpebholo had questioned whether voters were tired of Adeleke’s dancing, saying the governor danced before signing documents, before breakfast, and before drinking tea.
Olajengbesi said although he considered Okpebholo’s conduct during the election uncharitable, the election was over and political disagreements should not diminish 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,” he 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 noted that several prominent Nigerians and APC members participated in the Osun election campaign without publicly disrespecting Adeleke or diminishing 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.
The development comes amid continued political exchanges following the Osun election, which Adeleke won to secure a second term in office.
Olajengbesi also urged residents of Edo State to continue to hold Okpebholo accountable, saying such scrutiny was part of citizens’ responsibility in a democracy.
“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 statement comes days after singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, rejected calls for him to apologize to Okpebholo over an Instagram post relating to the governor’s academic credentials.
