Breaking News: Ekrem İmamoğlu's 'make your final choice honorably' challenge! 'Even your own companions...'

CHP presidential candidate and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was detained on March 19 and sent to Silivri Prison after being arrested on March 23, has issued a new statement.

Addressing the AKP government in his statement, İmamoğlu said, "There is no turning back from this path, and you know it too. The democracy train, which you board when you feel like it and get off when you are bored, is embarking on a brand-new journey. Our nation is preparing to take back the seat that belongs to it."

Stating, "You think you will sideline me through the judiciary. You are issuing orders from your magnificent palace, saying 'Finish off İmamoğlu.' Because you are very afraid to face me in an election," İmamoğlu added, "Recognize the will of the nation, let them be. Make your final choice in politics 'honorably'."

The full text of İmamoğlu's statement is as follows:

"There is no turning back from this path, and you know it too. 

You are going step by step. 

It is not this noble nation, which has been fighting for freedom and democracy for over a century, that will be defeated, but a handful of people—that is, you. 

The democracy train, which you board when you feel like it and get off when you are bored, is embarking on a brand-new journey. Our nation is preparing to take back the seat that belongs to it.

You think you will sideline me through the judiciary. You are issuing orders from your magnificent palace, saying 'Finish off İmamoğlu.' Because you are very afraid to face me in an election. 

Yes, you are afraid. Because you know very well what kind of harm you have caused to the state and the nation. You see that the patience of our nation, half of which lives below the hunger threshold, has run out. 

The nation does not want you.

Everyone sees that this is over.

Even your own companions are preparing for what comes after you.

It is time to go now…

Be honorable! Do not be afraid of democracy, of the nation, of being defeated, of losing your seat, of Ekrem İmamoğlu. 

Recognize the will of the nation, let them be. Make your final choice in politics 'honorably'."

Bu yolun geri dönüşü yok, siz de biliyorsunuz.

Adım adım gidiyorsunuz.

Bir asırdan fazladır hürriyet ve demokrasi mücadelesi veren bu aziz millet değil, bir avuç insan yani siz yenileceksiniz.

Canınız istediğinde bindiğiniz, canınız sıkılınca indiğiniz demokrasi treni…

— Cumhurbaşkanlığı Aday Ofisi (@CBAdayOfisi) September 2, 2025

News Source: 12punto