“I Was Confident Lagosians Will Choose Courage Over Fear” – Sanwo-Olu

Lagos governor-elect, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said he was confident the people of the state would choose courage and cooperation over fear and confrontation in the just concluded governorship election.

Sanwo-Olu polled 739,445 votes to defeat his main challenger, Jimi Agbaje of the People’s Democratic Party, who got 206,141 votes.

Declaring the vote as a referendum by the people of Lagos, Sanwo-Olu said Lagosians had once again, decided that they would continue to take the path of progress which started in 1999, by voting for All Progressives Congress (APC). He said:

“This election signalled more than a vote for me or any other candidate. It was a vote, a referendum, on how a state and its people would define themselves. Would we be courageous and confident enough to seek our greater place in the world? Or would we turn so scared that we spend the greater number of hours fighting each other, instead of joining ourselves in productive cooperation that will uplift the lives of each of us?

“We were confident that you would choose courage over fear and select cooperation over confrontation. You made this enlightened choice in resounding and clear numbers.

“Let us be completely frank and honest so that we may quickly clear the air of those things that might pollute and soil our politics if we allow them to linger.

“There were things said during this campaign that should not have been said. And tactics employed that were shortsighted and potentially disruptive to the social accord and harmony of purpose we have enjoyed in Lagos.

“Those who tried to use ethnicity to bring discord in hopes that such tactics might bring them victory have been sorely disappointed. The election is over. I ask them to cease and desist from this unwise conduct.

“Our people are generous in spirit, compassionate at heart and as fair-minded as any people can be. Despite the challenges that we may face, our people exist in a space that is above hatred.

“To be the leader of a people such as these is an honour of the highest level and a sacred obligation. 

“A leader befitting this state and its people is one who unites and leads them to greater progress; not one who seeks to pit them against each other.”