James Faleke, representing Ikeja Federal Constituency in Lagos, has denied allegations that he attempted to influence the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, during the Osun State governorship election.
Faleke, who supported the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, made the clarification in a post on X on Sunday. His response followed an allegation by Nigerian singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, during the collation of election results in Osogbo on Saturday. Davido had accused Faleke of pressuring INEC to alter the outcome of the election.
“Hon. James Faleke, stop putting pressure on INEC to change Osun election result. Respect the wishes of Osun people. We don’t want Oyetola and AMBO,” Davido wrote.
In his response, Faleke said he travelled to Osun to support the APC candidate, while Davido supported his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, who contested under the Accord Party.
“I came to Osun to support my party’s candidate, while you supported your uncle’s party (Accord). INEC is a body that can’t be influenced by me or anyone else,” Faleke said.
He further rejected any suggestion that he had previously manipulated an election.
“I have never influenced or rigged before and I don’t plan to start now. Face your music while we face our politics,” he added.
The exchange came as officials collated results from the governorship election, which attracted considerable attention from political actors and supporters.
After INEC declared Adeleke the winner, Faleke issued another statement congratulating the governor on his re-election. He also commended Oyebamiji for what he described as a “very good outing,” praising the APC candidate for his commitment and sportsmanship during the contest.
“I would also like to congratulate the Governor and candidate of the Accord Party, Governor Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke, on his re-election as Governor of Osun State,” Faleke wrote.
He wished Adeleke a successful tenure and urged him to continue working for the peace, progress and development of Osun State. Faleke described the election as an indication that democracy remained vibrant in Nigeria.
He also commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for what he described as its commitment to democratic values. The lawmaker praised INEC for conducting the election and security agencies for maintaining what he described as a peaceful and orderly process.
Adeleke was declared winner of the Osun governorship election after securing 511,067 votes. His APC challenger, Oyebamiji, polled 444,815 votes. The result confirmed Adeleke’s re-election and brought the contest that had generated political exchanges, including the Faleke replies Davido controversy, to a close.
