The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been elected as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for the 2023 general election in Lagos State.
Gov. Sanwo-Olu, at the primaries held today at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, was returned elected via voting by delegates from the 20 Local Governments in Lagos State.
Announcing the result of the election, Chairman of the APC Electoral Committee/Returning Officer, Alhaji Adamu Yuguda, said Sanwo-Olu scored 1,170 votes to emerge winner of the primaries.
He said 1,225 ad hoc delegates participated at the special state congress to choose the party’s governorship candidate for the 2023 election, while 1,198 delegates were accredited across the 20 Local Government Areas of the state.
Yuguda said: “The total number of voters are 1,225; total number of accredited votes – 1,198; the total votes cast – 1,182, the total number of valid votes -1,170, while the invalid votes are 12.
“So, the candidate with the highest number of votes is Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, who scored 1,170 votes.
“I, Alhaji Adamu Shettima Yuguda, the Chairman, governorship primary committee in the 2023 APC primary in Lagos state, hereby declare Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu the winner, having scored the highest number of votes.”
Earlier, Yuguda had said only Sanwo-Olu was cleared to participate in Thursday’s special state congress by the party’s screening committee and the appeal.
Other two governorship aspirants that were not cleared according to Yuguda, were a former commissioner, Wale Oluwo, and a former permanent secretary, Abdul-Ahmed Mustapha.
In his acceptance speech, Sanwo-Olu appreciated the electoral committee, supporting staff and all delegates for finding him worthy to be the party’s flagbearer.
The governor applauded the Lagos State Executive of the APC, led by Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, all cabinet members, party faithfuls and observers for their efforts and support.
“Our delegates have defied the rain. They have spoken and they have spoken well. This is affirmation that you want us to continue and we will not disappoint you.
“In all facet, Lagos residents should expect a lot more from us. We will not disappoint or betray the confidence reposed in us.
“I want to say that indeed, this is the beginning of bigger work that we have for Lagos”, Sanwo-Olu said.