Lagos primary: I’ve not conceded victory to anybody as elections have not held – Ambode; Lagos APC defies panel’s order, declares Sanwo-Olu winner

 Lagos, Oct. 2, 2018

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu as winner of Tuesday’s governorship primary.

This was contrary to the position of the Clement Ebiri-led panel, which had earlier declared the election that produced Sanwo-Olu as winner as a nullity.

Ebiri had said that the primary would be rescheduled as the state chapter has no power to conduct the party governorship primary election on its own.

However, the Lagos State Chairman of the party, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, has announced Sanwo-Olu as the winner of the primary.

Announcing the results to newsmen in Ikeja, Balogun said  that Sanwo-Olu polled 970, 851 votes to defeat Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, who polled 72, 901 votes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the announcement was in contrast of the pronouncement of the electoral panel which had declared that election did not hold in Lagos.

NAN reports that both parties had on Monday, at a meeting, disagreed on the pattern of primary to adopt without reaching a consensus.

Balogun thanked party members for coming out en masse to participate in the primary, saying that their participation reflected their belief in democracy.

“I am aware that conflicting information has been circulating on our primary election, but I must tell you that the election was held and it was free and fair.

“It would be very painful to disenfranchise the over 1.5 million members who voted across the 245 wards in the state.

“At the end of the exercise, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu polled 970, 851 votes and Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode scored 72, 901 votes.With this, Mr Babajide is declared winner.

“I thank party members for participating in the election and their dedication to democracy,” he said.

Meanwhile, the National leadership of APC said it had postponed the governorship primary in Lagos State indefinitely to douse tension generated within the party in the state.

Meanwhile, Gov. Ambode has described as fake news, reports that he has conceded victory, insisting that “as a loyal and responsible party member and a democrat,” he is guided by the process announced by the party “and shall await the new date of the governorship primary election.”

A statement by the Ambode Campaign Organisation (ACO) said “Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has not conceded any defeat as primary election is yet to hold on Lagos State.

“There are guidelines and procedures which the National Working Committee (NWC) has insisted must be followed in conducting a credible poll. These include the usage of membership slips and membership cards by registered party members as well as the adoption of secret ballot system which protects the electorate. The NWC came from Abuja with sufficient ballot papers which are yet to be distributed. As a loyal and responsible party member and a democrat, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is guided by the process announced by the party and shall await the new date of the governorship primary election.

“We urge all party members and our teeming supporters to remain calm and peaceful and to refuse to be intimidated. Governor Ambode is still very much in the race and is poised to win in order to continue the good works he has been doing in the last three and half years.”