By Mazino Dickson – The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Lagos has declared Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the winner of the controversial governorship primary conducted on Tuesday.
Mr. Sanwo-Olu defeated incumbent governor, Akinwumi Ambode, who had already conceded defeat and congratulated the winner
Chairman of the Lagos APC National Working Committee (NWC) panel on governorship primary, Clement Ebri had earlier announced the cancellation of the poll.
However, Mr. Ebri was overruled by the APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomole, forcing the former Cross-Rivers governor to announce Mr. Sanwo-Olu as the winner.
Mr. Sanwo-Olu scored 970,851 votes, defeating incumbent Ambode who polled 72,901 votes to clinch the APC ticket for the 2019 governorship election.
In a state-wide broadcast Wednesday, Mr. Ambode urged all Lagosians to immediately support the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the 2019 elections and work for the success of the party.
“Fellow Lagosians, the last few days have witnessed intense political activities that have gripped the attention of the nation and created palpable tension in the polity.
“I strongly believe that the time has now come for the state to move forward in order that the gains of the last three and half years are not lost.
“Dear Lagosians, APC is a great party and the interests of our beloved state must always supercede that of any person or group. It is in this regard that I wholeheartedly congratulate Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“As governor, I will do everything possible to ensure a smooth transition in the remaining period of this administration and ultimately to the new governor, come May 2019.
“I therefore appeal to all our party members that we remain one family and unite behind the candidate of the party, so that we can continue to move this state forward,” he said.
Ambode said that the progress of the state was non-negotiable, as it was a project he had passionately worked for in the last three and half years as governor, and one to which he will forever be devoted.
“I wish to use this opportunity to thank our national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the leadership of our great party at state and national levels, all party faithful and all Lagosians.
“I thank all Lagosians for their faith and trust in me. I urge you not to relent in your support for our party as we prepare for the general elections.
Similarly, Mr. Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, praised the leadership of APC and the defeated governor of Lagos for a free and fair conduct of the primary.
He also thanked members of the party and the general public, including non-Lagos people, for their continued support.
The Lagos APC guber candidate promised to be fair and relate with everyone, irrespective of the divide to move the state forward.
Mr. Ambode’s gesture ends weeks of political uncertainty and tension, after he fell out of favour with his political godfather and national leader of the APC, BolaTinubu.
Mr. Tinubu, after voting at the primary, said although Ambode had done well in governance, he was “not a good party man.”
