Removed from candidate office: İmamoğlu's statement on Atatürk poster

Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel had announced that they would open Presidential Candidate Offices in 81 provinces for Ekrem İmamoğlu, the presidential candidate and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor who has been imprisoned in Silivri Prison since March 23.

Following this announcement, the first candidate office was opened at the party's Bülent Ecevit Party School in the capital, Ankara. It was observed that the photograph of Atatürk in the candidate office had been removed and replaced with a photograph of İmamoğlu.

A statement on the matter came from İmamoğlu.

Making a statement through his lawyers via the X account named Presidential Candidate Office, which was opened in his name, İmamoğlu shared the photograph of Atatürk that he hung in his office after taking office at the İBB in 2019 and noted the following:

“I followed the opening of our Presidential Candidate Office with great excitement and pride. However, due to my presence in Silivri, I am unfortunately learning about some of the discussions being held on social media with a delay.

I saw the campaign launched regarding the removal of the Atatürk poster with great sadness. It is clear that this insinuation is intended to hurt me and my companions personally.

We walk on the path drawn by our country's founder, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and we see his principles, his revolutions, and the Republic as the foundation of our lives and our politics.

It is extremely clear to us what we set out for today and whose office we are aspiring to.

No one can question the love we have for Atatürk and our commitment to his legacy. I consider even responding to this an ordeal. Every step we take is the embodiment of his words, 'Sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the nation.'

Our path is clear, our minds are sharp.

'With perseverance and determination'

We are determined to carry our country to bright tomorrows all together in the second century of the Republic."

I followed the opening of our Presidential Candidate Office with great excitement and pride. However, due to my presence in Silivri, I am unfortunately learning about some of the discussions being held on social media with a delay.

I saw the campaign launched regarding the removal of the Atatürk poster with great… pic.twitter.com/JDLYWgvcXL

— Cumhurbaşkanlığı Aday Ofisi (@CBAdayOfisi) July 30, 2025

News Source: 12punto