Akinwunmi Ambode, governor of Lagos state, has accepted his loss of the gubernatorial primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC), congratulating Babajide Sanwo-Olu, winner of the exercise.
Sanwo-Olu polled 970,851 votes ahead of the governor who secured 72,901 votes.
In his address, Ambode said APC is a great party, appealing to residents of the state to give Sanwo-Olu the needed support in the 2019 election.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
He also promised to ensure a smooth transition. Ambode thanked Bola Tinubu, his estrange godfather.
The governor also expressed gratitude to the people of the state for giving him the opportunity to serve.
“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,” he said.
“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 faithfuls 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 election.”
Since the return of democracy in 1999, Ambode is the first governor of the state to serve a term. -TheCable
