Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi
Ambode, conceded victory to Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the All Progressives Congress
primary election to avoid impeachment.
Recall that Ambode, in a brief press conference conceded defeat and congratulated his
opponent Sanwo-Olu.
Before his shock acceptance of
the result, there had been expectation that the governor would fight the
declaration of Sanwo-Olu as the winner of the state’s Tuesday governorship
primary.
The election result was initially
cancelled by the APC National Working Committee panel that had promised to
announce a new date for the primary.
The panel also made a U-turn on
Wednesday to declare Sanwo-Olu the winner, sparking speculations that the
governor would reject the move.
But a few hours after the panel’s
new decision, Ambode’s media team sent a press statement that the governor
would host a “world press briefing” causing more speculations even suggestions
that he might dump the ruling party.
Ambode eventually accepted defeat
and congratulated Sanwo-Olu.
Now Punch claims that sources
from both Ambode and a National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s
camps said that the move was meant to remove the tension, as well as avert the
impeachment move being considered by party elders.
The newspaper reports that before
and after the broadcast, Ambode had contacted Tinubu and some party leaders in
a bid to assure them of his loyalty to the party, and in order to avert the
impeachment option.
The APC Publicity Secretary in
Lagos State, Joe Igbokwe, said he did not know about any peace move by the
incumbent governor, as well as any deal.
He said, “I don’t know about
that.”
Another source told Punch, “He
(Ambode) did not want the matter to get to that level; that is why he accepted
the defeat to reduce the tension in the state and stop any panicky action by
the party elders. He also wanted them to leave him in peace to complete all his
projects,” the source said.
One of Tinubu’s aides also said
it was still early to say.
He said, “Ambode just made his
speech, every other thing would flow from the governor’s decision to accept
defeat and congratulate Sanwo-Olu.”
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