Akinwunmi Ambode, the man widely believed
to have been anointed by Bola Tinubu, a
former Lagos governor and a national leader
of the All Progressives Congress [APC], has
defeated his 12 challengers for the APC
governorship ticket in Lagos, Nigeria’s
commercial capital, by a landslide.
About 5,700 delegates from 20 local
government areas cast their votes for the 13
candidates who sought the ticket of the party.
Mr. Akinwunmi polled 3,735 votes to emerge
the party’s flag bearer at next year’s general
election.
Obafemi Hamzat took the second position
with 1,201 votes.
Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Speaker of the Lagos State
House of Assembly, came a distant third with
182 votes.
During vote counting, the moment Mr.
Ambode’s tally overtook that of Mr. Hamzat,
the people in the VIP section of Onikan
Stadium, jumped and cheered in jubilation.
Mr. Ambode, who had been seated through
the night, sat quietly and savoured the
moment.
13 aspirants participated in the party’s
governorship ticket, but by the time the final
result was announced, Mr. Ambode, the
eventual winner, was the only one left at the
venue.
The other 12 candidates had left by Thursday
evening.
Other aspirants scored as follows: Lanre Ope
[0 vote ], Tokunbo Wahab [7 votes], Adekunle
Disu [9 votes], Abayomi Sutton [0 vote],
Tokunbo Agbesanwa [0 vote], Adeyemi
Ikuforiji [182 votes], Tola Kasali [68 votes],
Supo Shasore [121 votes], Ganiyu Olanrewaju
Solomon (GOS) [272 votes], Lekan Pitan [112
votes], Obafemi Hamzat [1,201].
The exercise was largely peaceful but with
Mr. Tinubu discreetly anointing a candidate,
it was a one-sided race all along, with Mr.
Ambode largely projected to win. He did not
prove bookmakers wrong.
Mr. Ambode, 51, is a former Accountant-
General for Lagos.
Not known to be a politician before now, Mr.
Ambode frequently flaunts his public service
credentials.
At his official declaration to run on October
24, Mr. Ambode said he played an important
role in raising Lagos State’s monthly
internally generated revenue from N600
million to N12 billion.
“I am resolved to offer you genuine leadership
that will be accountable with all the principles
of good governance, a government of
inclusion that will not leave any race or
gender behind. No matter your age, sex, tribe
or any other status, as long as you reside in
Lagos, we will make Lagos liveable for you,”
he said at the time.
“We will work to create opportunities for all
and offer selfless service. As we proceed we
will leave no one behind. What our great
party stands for is change, positive change.
We will create wealth. We will create new
jobs. We will challenge ourselves to make
Lagos a better place. We will take Lagos to the
next level. We are going to do it together.”
Mr. Ambode promised to run an inclusive
government that would cater for the aged,
widows, artisans, students, children, the
physically challenged, professionals.
“For corporate Lagos, Lagos is open for
business, even for greater business. We have
the political will to move Lagos to the next
level. We are going to face our challenges by
ourselves. Nobody is going to do that for us.
With our collective will, we will overcome
them.
“I call on all Muslims, Christians, and people
of other religious persuasions to come out en
masse and ensure we vote in a candidate that
has the interest of Lagos and Lagosians at
heart. A candidate that is passionate about
Lagos. A candidate that truly understands the
needs of the ordinary people. I am that
candidate.”
Premium times.
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