The spokesperson for the Ademola Adeleke Governorship Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has withdrawn remarks he made against Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, following exchanges that occurred during the Osun governorship election campaign.
Olajengbesi said he was withdrawing comments that may have appeared disrespectful to Okpebholo, who travelled to Osun State to campaign for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The development comes after political exchanges between supporters of Adeleke and Okpebholo during and after the election, which was won by Adeleke for a second term.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Olajengbesi personally withdrew the remarks, saying political disagreements should not undermine respect for public institutions.
“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 campaign spokesman acknowledged that he had criticised Okpebholo’s conduct while the Edo governor was campaigning in Osun.
However, he said the election had ended and that it was important for political actors to move beyond campaign disagreements.
The disagreement followed comments made by Okpebholo during an APC campaign rally in Osun.
The Edo governor had mocked Adeleke over his well-known dancing displays, questioning whether voters had become tired of seeing the governor dance.
Okpebholo reportedly said Adeleke danced before signing documents, before breakfast and before drinking tea.
Olajengbesi described the Edo governor’s conduct during the campaign as uncharitable but said the political contest was now over.
“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.
While withdrawing his comments, Olajengbesi advised Okpebholo to communicate more through his media aides.
He also urged the Edo governor to reduce what he described as the activities of “two overzealous cheerleaders” around him.
Olajengbesi noted that several prominent Nigerians and APC members had participated in the Osun election campaign without publicly disrespecting Adeleke or diminishing the dignity of his office.
He therefore said his decision to withdraw the remarks was intended to reinforce the importance of respecting public institutions regardless of political differences.
“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 days after the conclusion of the Osun governorship election, in which Adeleke secured a second term in office.
The election generated significant political activity, with senior politicians from both the APC and other parties campaigning across the state.
Okpebholo was among the APC figures who participated in the party’s campaign activities ahead of the poll.
The exchanges involving the Edo governor and Adeleke’s supporters have continued to attract attention even after the election.
Despite withdrawing his remarks, Olajengbesi maintained that citizens have a responsibility to scrutinise their elected officials.
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He therefore urged residents of Edo State to continue holding Okpebholo accountable for his administration.
“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 amid continuing political exchanges involving Okpebholo and individuals associated with the Adeleke camp.
It also follows a recent controversy involving singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, who rejected calls for an apology to the Edo governor over an Instagram post concerning Okpebholo’s academic credentials.
With the Osun election now concluded, the withdrawal of Olajengbesi’s remarks appears aimed at drawing a line under the personal exchanges that emerged during the campaign while maintaining political accountability.
