Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesperson of The Imole Campaign Council (TICC), says he has withdrawn the “disrespectful” remarks he made about Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo, during the August 15 governorship election in Osun state.
TICC led the second-term election campaign of Ademola
Adeleke, governor of Osun.
Ahead of the election, Adeleke’s camp and that of Bola
Oyebamiji, the governor’s major rival and candidate of the All Progressives
Congress (APC), traded words and banter in support of their candidates.
Okpebholo and some other APC governors and bigwigs,
including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, visited the state days before the
election for the APC mega rally.
Speaking during the visit, the Edo governor mocked Adeleke
over his penchant for dancing, questioning his leadership style while
campaigning for Oyebamiji.
“Before somebody sign paper, he will dance, are you not
tired? For four years, this man has been dancing, before he take breakfast,
before he drink tea, he will dance,” he said.
“I was asking my friend now, I said I can’t even remembered
when I saw this man in our general meeting. Before he even enter the plane, he
will dance.
“Before he gets there, we have closed. So, he won’t know
what we are saying, he doesn’t know the reality of today.”
The governor’s remarks sparked heated reactions on social
media, with supporters of Adeleke, including Olajengbesi and David Adeleke, his
cousin, criticising the governor.
‘I PERSONALLY WITHDRAW MY REMARKS’
In a statement on Thursday, Olajengbesi apologised to the
governor, saying political disagreements should never elicit disrespect for
public institutions and the offices people occupy.
“I personally withdraw my earlier remarks that may have
appeared disrespectful to the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator
Monday Okpebholo,” he said.
“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. Going forward, I would
respectfully advise the Governor to speak more through his media aides and
reduce the activities of the two overzealous cheerleaders around him who are
constantly shouting, hyping and hailing him.”
The lawyer noted that many eminent Nigerians and respected
members of the APC were in Osun state and worked harder for the party during
the election, but none publicly disrespected Adeleke or diminished the dignity
of his office.
“I therefore withdraw any statement that may have appeared
unduly insulting or disrespectful,” Olajengbesi added.
He, however, urged the people of Edo state to continue to
hold the governor accountable, saying that is the responsibility of citizens in
every democracy.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com