Folarin concedes defeat to Makinde, insists support for Tinubu didn’t hurt him
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Teslim Folarin, All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, has congratulated Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for winning the governorship contest held last Saturday.
Makinde got 563,756 votes, Folarin 256,685 votes, and Adebayo Adelabu of Accord Party 38,357, as announced state Collation Officer Adebayo Bamire, Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-lfe.
“In line with the official pronouncement of the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC], I hereby congratulate Seyi Makinde.
“I would like to express my sincere appreciations to the Oyo State electorate for their support for all APC candidates on February 25th and March 18th elections respectively. May God bless you all,” Folarin said in a statement he personally signed, per The PUNCH.
“To whom much is given, much is expected. It is on this note that I am offering my solemn gratitude to leaders and members of our great party, APC, the coalition parties, candidates of other political parties that worked for us, volunteers, the press as well as individuals that contributed to the Itesiwaju Ipinle Oyo 2023 project.
“Furthermore, I give kudos to members of 2023 Oyo State APC Presidential and Governorship Campaign Council for the best-ever issue-based campaigns. Thank you for your absolute loyalty, dedication and commitment to the struggle.”
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Tinubu didn’t hurt my ticket, says Folarin
Folarin has absolved President-elect Bola Tinubu of blame in the poor performance of APC candidates in the governorship and state Assembly elections in Oyo.
Folarin personally signed a statement distancing himself from a video clip blaming Tinubu for his defeat, according to reporting by Tribune.
He said: “My attention has been drawn to a trending 2:04 mins video, blaming Mr President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and other APC chieftains for the outcome of Saturday, March 18th governorship and the house of Assembly elections in Oyo.
“I strongly dissociate myself from the trending video. It was produced by my sworn enemies with the sole intention to drive wedges in my relationships with our highly revered leader Asiwaju and other party stakeholders.
“I reiterate it is Only God That Gives and Takes Power.”
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