Ambode accepted defeat to avert impeachment –Sources reveals

There were indications on Wednesday that the Lagos State Governor , Akinwunmi Ambode, conceded victory to Babajide Sanwo- Olu , his main opponent for the All Progressives Congress governorship ticket in Lagos , to calm frayed nerves and avert impeachment .
There had been expectation that the governor would fight the declaration of Sanwo- Olu as the winner of the state’ s Tuesday governorship primary , which was initially cancelled by the APC National Working Committee panel that had promised to announce a new date for the primary .

The panel made a U – turn on Wednesday to declare Sanwo -Olu the winner, sparking speculations that the governor would reject the move .

A few hours after the panel ’ s new decision , the governor ’ s media team sent a press statement that the governor would host a “ world press briefing ” by 2 . pm , causing more speculations .

In the briefing , which eventually turned out to be a broadcast by 4 pm , Ambode accepted defeat and congratulated Sanwo-Olu .

One of our correspondents gathered through sources in both Ambode and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu ’ s camps that the move was meant to remove the tension , as well as avert the impeachment move being considered by party elders .

One of the sources said 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 .

“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.

The APC Publicity Secretary in Lagos State , Mr 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 . ”

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 . ”

NWC bows to Lagos APC , declares Sanwo – Olu winner

Earlier on Wednesday , the APC panel changed its position on the validity of the primary conducted in the state on Tuesday.
The fresh stance was contrary to the position of the NWC panel , led by Mr Clement Ebri , on Tuesday that the primary did not hold .

The panel said on Wednesday that the primary held .

It went on to declare Sanwo -Olu as the winner of the primary with 970 , 851 votes ahead of Ambode, who recorded 72 , 901 votes .

The Ebri -led panel in a press statement , said, “ After resolving some of the hiccups , the Lagos State APC Governorship Primary Committee collated the results from the 245 wards in the 20 local government areas .

“At the end of the exercise , these are the votes scored by the aspirants: 1 . Gov Akinwunmi Ambode , 72 , 901 votes . 2 . Babajide Sanwo -Olu , 970 , 851 votes .

“Following these results , I , Clement Ebri , the Chairman of the Lagos State APC Governorship Primary Committee hereby declare Babajide Sanwo -Olu as the winner. ”

‘ Why APC NWC upheld primary ’

Another source said the decision to uphold the result was informed by the presence of relevant government agencies , including representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission at the primary .

A member of the party leadership , who spoke to one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity said, “ Most people spoken to said the governorship primary was held in Lagos yesterday ( Tuesday ) . ”

Another party source confided in one of our correspondents that the President left the decision to the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole , who had earlier said there was election in Lagos .

The source added that Ebri did not take directive from the NWC before announcing that no primary took place .

Ambode accepts defeat , congratulates Sanwo – Olu

In his broadcast on Wednesday , Ambode congratulated Sanwo- Olu , saying it was time for the state to move forward .

The governor said although events of the last few days had been characterised by intense political activities which created tension , the interest of the state superseded that of any personal ambition .
He, therefore, urged members of the party and all Lagosians to support the candidate of the party .

He said, “The APC is a great party and the interests 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 Sanwo -Olu and urge all Lagosians to immediately support our party ’ s gubernatorial candidate in the 2019 elections . ”

While assuring that he would work to ensure a smooth transition in 2019, the governor said the progress of the state was non – negotiable , as he would remain forever devoted to the development of Lagos .

The governor thanked Tinubu , the leadership of the party and all Lagosians for the support extended to him , and urged the people to continue to support the APC .

Lagos is under siege

However , the Convener of Lagos Solidarity Forum , Comrade Mark Adebayo , said on Wednesday that Lagos was being pushed in the direction of the precipice by enemies of democracy .

In a statement , the group boss said the state APC primary was “ another hatchet ’ s job . ”

He said, “ Every society that has ceased to exist starts from the point of aggravated injustice that provokes intractable anarchy .

“Unfortunately , Lagos State is being pushed in the direction of that precipice by forces which can best be described as , not only enemies of democracy , but enemies of the people. These same forces have been responsible for the mobile retrogression of Nigeria since 1999 that we have moved into civilian governance . Their weapons have been domination , imposition and brazen overthrow of the people’ s mandate.

“The shameful shenanigan orchestrated by the APC governorship primary committee chaired by Clement Ebri , the former Cross River State governor erroneously thought to be a man of impeccable integrity was another hatchet ’ s job executed in the service of merchants of inhumanity and derogation of all elements of societal value … .

“The time has come for Lagosians to rise up through a mass action to liberate ourselves . ”

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