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Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has conceded defeat in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election held in the state on Tuesday.
In a two minutes state broadcast this afternoon, Ambode congratulated the winner of the primary election, Babajide Sanwoolu, assuring that he will facilitate a smooth transition of power to him if he wins the 2019 election.
He also called on Lagosians and members of the APC to give Sanwoolu their support.
His words: “APC is a great party. And the interest of our beloved state must always supersede 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 Sanwoolu, 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 pissible 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, to 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 the governor, and one to which I will forever be devoted. I wish to use this opportunity to thank our national leader, Alhaji 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 elections. Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko lo je wa lo gun. God bless you all”
Chairman of the Electoral Panel appointed by the party’s National Working Committee of the party, Clement Ebri, on Wednesday declared Babajide Sanwoolu as the winner of its Lagos governorship primaries held on Tuesday.
Sanwoolu contested for the ticket with Ambode in a direct primary election. While Ambode scored 72,901 votes, Sanwoolu polled 970,851 votes.
By the declaration, Sanwoolu will now be the party’s candidate in the 2019 governorship election, denying Ambode a shot at a second term in office.