Reps Poll: UPP candidate, Adiele reluctantly concedes defeat
By Abolaji Adebayo
By insinuating that the winner of the election into the House of Representatives in Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II ‘purportedly emerged’, the candidate of the United Progressive Party (UPP) for the Federal House of Representatives in Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II, Barr. Chimaobi Adiele, has sent tongues wagging that his pledge to concede defeat is insincere.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Engr. Ganiyu Johnson as the winner of the election.
Adiele said he might have lost the election; he would remain in the public space and continue to be people’s voice for positive and progressive society just as he appreciated those who supported his political aspiration.
In a statement he personally signed and made available to Echonews, the defeated UPP candidate disclosed that he got various experiences by participating in the electoral process which has taught him to continuously engage the society and demand for change.
He stated: “The elections have come and gone and a winner has purportedly emerged. We may have lost this particular race, but you have all won my heart. I have accepted your challenge to remain in the public space and continue to be your voice for positive and progressive society. For me henceforth, there is no retreat from public space and social action. If there is anything I learnt from this experience it is the fact that we must continuously engage our society and demand for change. To bring about such desired change to our society, we do not have to wait to first get into public office.
“Let us all resolve to be active citizens and get involved in what is going on around us. Our voices should not and can never be silenced or silent. Change comes from participation, and we prepare to impact our society by our everyday concerns and concerted actions to make things better around us. Eventually, our preparation will certainly meet an opportunity.
“Another great take-away from my experience is the reinforcement of my faith in the enormous potentials of our country. It is not a mistake that God created Nigeria and endowed us with all our resources and diversity. We are one people bonded with the common aspirations to live the Nigerian dream of having a good life and actualizing our dreams of fulfilling our God given potentials. We will be failing ourselves and our Creator if we fail to take positive action to make Nigeria great.
“Let us sustain this bond of love, unity and brotherhood. Surely other opportunities will come our way in the future and the lessons from this contest will come very useful to help propel our dreams. We are all winners because we believe and we should always keep the faith because the dream was only deferred.
“I remember every single one of you though space will not permit me to mention your individual names one after the other.
“To my wonderful friends, supporters, constituents and well-wishers in my just concluded race for the House of Representative ticket to represent the good people of Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency 2, Lagos, I say thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
“Your supports in the form of your time, talents, resources, money, encouragement, advice and criticisms were the oxygen that fueled my race. We may not have the election, but you have all won my hearts. Forever, your names will be indelibly written in my heart and together we shall remain friends and cherish the bonds of love and our concerted efforts you put into my aspiration. Thank you all and God bless and replenish your sacrifice abundantly.”
