The Osun State Speaker House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, has described the loss of his re-election bid at the March 18 election as a temporary setback, urging his supporters to maintain calm.
Owoeye, in a statement released on Tuesday, noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, was wrong to have declared the candidate of the People Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, alleging that there were over voting in several polling units.
He further stressed that widespread of violence, intimidation among others in the build up to the elections across all 11 Wards of Ilesha East state constituency disenfranchised the people of Ilesha.
The statement reads, “I wish to thank my family, friends, associates, supporters, and party faithfuls for their support before, during, and after the March 18 House of Assembly elections in Osun State.
“The election, which was characterized by widespread violence, harrasment, thuggery and brigandage, hampered our people from voting in several polling units cut across the 11 Wards of Ilesa East State Constituency.
“This new trend of violence introduced to our politics in Ijesaland and other parts of the state started during the Presidential/National Assembly elections. If politics is all about service, I see no reason for the bloodletting. The bodies are too many, and they must stop. The continued onslaught and harassment against our people since Sunday must also stop.
“Recall that I came under attack in the early hours of February 22, if not for divine providence and the gallantry of men of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and Department of State Security (DSS), the story would have been different.
“It is also pertinent to note that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was wrong to have declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the election, overvoting was recorded in several polling units, as well as violence in places where elections never held (video evidences are online).
“Cancelling the results of these aforementioned polling units as outlined in the electoral act would have drastically reduced the total votes cast and give the APC an edge.
“However, I understand that for certain human and technological deficiencies, INEC may not be able to deliver an election that is 100% credible, they must however embark on a holistic review after every election cycle and up their game by ensuring that the principles and cardinals of the electoral act is adhered to.
“To my supporters, I want to use this opportunity to urge you all to remain calm. The party is studying the results and will respond at the appropriate time.
“This is just a temporary setback which doesn’t last long, God has been faithful to me all these years, this is not the end of the road, we shall come out stronger at the end of it all.”
