The spokesperson for the Ademola Adeleke Governorship Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has officially retracted his earlier comments regarding the conduct of Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, during the recent Osun governorship election campaign. This development comes in the wake of a contentious exchange between the two political figures during the election period.

In a statement released on Thursday, Olajengbesi expressed regret over remarks that may have been perceived as disrespectful towards Governor Okpebholo, who was actively campaigning for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State on August 15. The tension escalated after Okpebholo mocked Adeleke’s dancing at an APC rally, questioning whether voters were fatigued by the governor's dance moves, which he humorously noted occurred at various times throughout the day.

Despite his earlier criticisms of Okpebholo's behavior, Olajengbesi acknowledged that the election had concluded and emphasized the importance of maintaining 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 stated. He added that while he found Okpebholo's actions during the campaign uncharitable, political disagreements should not undermine the dignity of elected offices.

Furthermore, Olajengbesi advised Okpebholo to consider communicating more through his media aides, suggesting that the influence of what he termed "two overzealous cheerleaders" around the governor could be detrimental to his public image. He pointed out that many prominent Nigerians and APC members participated in the Osun campaign without resorting to disrespectful behavior towards Adeleke or his office.

The retraction comes as political exchanges continue to unfold following Adeleke's victory in the Osun election, where he secured a second term in office. Olajengbesi also encouraged the citizens of Edo State to hold Governor Okpebholo accountable for his actions, reinforcing the idea that civic responsibility is a fundamental aspect of democracy. "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 remarked.

This statement from Olajengbesi follows a recent incident involving singer Davido, who declined to apologize to Okpebholo for a social media post related to the governor’s academic credentials, further illustrating the heated political climate in the region.