Lagos APC dares NWC, declares Sanwo-Olu winner of guber primary

The Lagos state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced Babajide Sanwo-Olu as winner of the gubernatorial primary election, despite opposition to the mode of the conduct of the election by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

Tunde Balogun, chairman of the party in the state, made the declaration at the state headquarters of the party in Ogba, Ikeja, on Tuesday night.

He said Sanwo-Olu polled 970,851 votes to defeat Ambode who was said to have secured 72,901 votes.

The national working committee panel of the election had declared the election null and void as a result of the open ballot mode used.

Clement Ebri, chairman of the panel, had said secret ballot was agreed upon. He said a new date for the exercise would be communicated to the public.

But Balogun disagreed with Ebri, saying the exercise went in a smooth manner. “We were preparing for the election on the 1st of October before the cancellation was announced. The same thing was done again today but we were in the queue for most part of the day and I have observed that the elections have been free fair and transparent.

“It was direct primary, truly direct. Human beings were counted, not phones, not ballot papers. It would have been very painful to disenfranchise 1.5 million Lagosians who are members of APC who took part in today’s primary.

“I commend and salute them for their doggedness and forthrightness. The results have started come in and we waited till we got the last result.

“It is my pleasure and delight to announce the result of the election conducted in all the wards of Lagos state. The results are as follows Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, 72,901 votes. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, 970,851 votes.”

Balogun said further announcement would be made “in due course”.