Olajengbesi withdraws remarks against Okpebholo after Osun election exchanges, stressing respect for public institutions and democratic accountability
Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, on Thursday, August 20, 2026, withdrew remarks he had made against Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo over the governor’s conduct during the August 15 Osun governorship election campaign.
Also read: Osun Election: Rufai Slams Wike, APC Over Defeat
The move came as political exchanges surrounding the closely watched election continued after Adeleke secured a second term in office.
In a statement, Olajengbesi said he was withdrawing comments that could have been interpreted as disrespectful towards Okpebholo, who travelled to Osun to campaign for the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
“I personally withdraw my earlier remarks that may have appeared disrespectful to the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo,” Olajengbesi said.
The clarification followed a public dispute that developed during the election campaign after Okpebholo criticised Adeleke’s well-known dancing style at an APC rally.
Okpebholo questioned whether Osun voters had grown tired of Adeleke’s dancing, making references to the governor dancing before signing official documents, eating breakfast and drinking tea.
Olajengbesi subsequently criticised the Edo governor’s conduct, describing it as uncharitable.
In his latest statement, however, he acknowledged that the election had ended and argued that political disagreements should not undermine 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.
The withdrawal does not amount to a retreat from Olajengbesi’s broader political position.
Instead, he sought to draw a distinction between robust political disagreement and personal disrespect towards an elected office holder.
He also advised Okpebholo to rely more heavily on his media aides when communicating publicly and criticised what he called the activities of “two overzealous cheerleaders” around the governor.
Olajengbesi pointed out that several senior politicians, including members of the APC, participated in the Osun campaign without publicly attacking Adeleke or diminishing the dignity of the governor’s 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 added.
The development comes against the backdrop of a fiercely contested Osun election in which Adeleke defeated Oyebamiji and secured another term.
The campaign featured sharp exchanges between supporters of the two major parties, with several prominent political figures becoming involved.
Olajengbesi has also remained an outspoken figure for the Adeleke campaign.
In July, he addressed allegations surrounding an alleged assassination plot involving APC campaign director-general Wole Oke, questioning aspects of the police investigation.
The latest statement adopts a noticeably calmer tone, emphasising institutional respect after weeks of intense political mobilisation.
Olajengbesi also turned his attention to Edo, urging residents to continue scrutinising Okpebholo’s administration as part of their democratic responsibility.
“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 said.
The episode also follows a separate controversy involving music star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, who recently rejected calls to apologise to Okpebholo over an Instagram post concerning the governor’s academic credentials.
Also read: Osun Election: Rufai Slams Wike, APC Over Defeat
With the Osun election now concluded, Olajengbesi’s withdrawal appears aimed at drawing a line under one strand of the political confrontation while preserving room for legitimate criticism of elected officials.
