Ambode accepts defeat, says he’ll work with Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has accepted his fate as an outgoing governor, who won’t get a second term in office.

He lost the ticket of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) to run for a second term in office to Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Ambode In an address to citizens of the state on Wednesday said he was ready to work with the Sanwo-Olu, and to ensure a smooth handover, if Sanwo-Olu wins the governorship election.

Ambode’s acceptance of defeat has now foreclosed speculations that he might be defecting to the opposition People Democratic Party (PDP). The speculations had heightened following the controversies that trailed the state governorship primaries on Tuesday.

The state APC had voted using direct primaries and option A4, where voters were meant to queue in front of posters of their preferred aspirant.

Read also: LAGOS APC PRIMARIES: NWC panel makes U-turn, declares Sanwo-Olu winner

While results from the election across the state had announced Sanwo-Olu, the anointed of the national leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu, winner, the National Working Committee (NWC) panel of the APC, sent from Abuja to conduct the poll had initially cancelled the election on Tuesday .

The committee however, following the intervention of the national chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, made a U-turn and upheld the outcome of the election.

Ambode’s full statement read, “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 the winner of the Lagos State APC Primaries, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and urge all Lagosians to immediately support our party’s gubernatorial candidate in the 2019 elections and work for the success of our dear party.

“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.

“The progress of Lagos state is non-negotiable. It is a project that I have passionately worked for in the last three and half years as your Governor and one to which I 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.”

 

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