By Ayo Kehinde
L-R: Ambode and Sanwo-Olu
The Clement Ebri Election Committee that wanted to hold a rerun of the Lagos governorship primary was overruled by the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole and advisedly by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who is said to have cautioned the party against a rerun so long as there was no clear violation of laid down procedures. Ebri who is Chairman of the Lagos Governorship Electoral panel had to declare Babajide Sanwo-Olu winner of the exercise in the state at a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday morning.
He approved the result of the primary election as announced by the Lagos State Chairman of the APC, Tunde Balogun on Tuesday night and declared Jide Sanwo-Olu the winner with 970,851 votes while Governor Akinwunmi Ambode got 72,901 votes.
Oshiomhole had reportedly dismissed fears that Tuesday’s governorship primary in Lagos State, which produced Babajide Sanwo-Olu as candidate, was controversial.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, the said: “I told the President that the primaries held as planned and everything is being done to ensure there is no violence because democracy doesn’t flourish with violence.
“Nigerians must begin to learn how to differ in opinion and in choice without fighting; this is something people have to acquire over time. For me, I’m excited that if we can do it in Lagos, it can be done anywhere.
“Everything that is being done is done under the control, supervision and direction of the NWC.’’
Osinbajo was said to have asked the party to uphold the result and move on for the interest of the peace and security of the state, which is the commercial nerve center of the country.
