Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been declared re-elected as the Governor of Lagos State.
Professor Adenike Oladeji, the State Returning Officer, in her declaration, said Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scored a total of 762,134 votes in the Saturday election.
Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party (LP) scored 312, 329 votes to come a distant second while Dr. Olajide Adediran of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) scored a total of 62,449 votes.
Sanwo-Olu, in his acceptance speech, after his victory declaration by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) said Lagosians had made their voices heard.
“To all of our fellow contestants, we want to salute you for participating in the democratic process, but Lagosians have spoken and have spoken well. They have spoken loud.
“Please remember that we’re extending a hand of fellowship to you, no victor, no vanquished. In the true spirit of sportsmanship, if you indeed believe that you want to serve this state, you have an opportunity with us and we will open our doors to listen and to give you a space in this government,” he said.
In his speech, Sanwo-Olu lamented the tribal politics that played out in the run-up to the election in the state.
“During this campaign, unfortunately, we have seen very divisive rhetoric which is not a definition of who we are.
“So, Lagosians, we need to come together and further rebuild the capacity, the competence, and the experience that we have in this city. Religion should not divide us, ethnicity will not divide us. Lagos will come out bigger, stronger, and better,”he said.
Moment before the declaration of the winner, Rhodes-Vivour described the electoral process as a sham.
In a tweet, he said there was a plan by APC and INEC to declare Sanwo-Olu the winner.
“Collusion between the ruling party and electoral officials to return the candidate of the APC is a slap on the face of democracy and everyone who came out to vote for us on Saturday.
“In the light of this, I am convinced beyond any doubt that the results being released by INEC do not represent the wishes of majority of peaceful Lagosians. More so the results from our field agents and situation room indicated that we won this election,”he said.
