INEC Declares Babajide Sanwo-Olu Winner Of Lagos Governorship Election

The incumbent Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been declared as winner of the governorship election in the state.

Sanwo-Olu was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at 1:15 am on Monday morning, almost 48 hours after the electoral exercise commenced.

Sanwo-Olu, who polled 762,134 votes, defeated his closest rival, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party who polled 312,329 and followed by Olajide Adeniran of the Peoples Democratic Party who polled 62,449 votes.

The total number of registered voters in the state is 7,060,195, but the number of accredited voters for the poll was 1,182,620.

While the incumbent governor cleared 19 out of 20 LGAs, his opponent, Rhodes-Vivour, won in only one LG, Amuwo-Odofin.

The result was announced by the Returning Officer of the Governorship and House of Assembly elections in Lagos State, Professor Adenike Oladeji who is also the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure.

He said, “I hereby declare that Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, having satisfied the requirements of the law by having 25 per cent of the total of the LGAs of the states and also having the highest number of votes cast and meeting the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner. ”

The election was marked by voter suppression, ethnic discrimination, political thuggery, and physical attacks on voters, electoral staff and security personnel alike.

Moments after INEC’s declaration, Sanwo-Olu, in his acceptance speech, said: “To all of our fellow contestants, we want to salute you for participating in the democratic process, but Lagosians have spoken and have spoken well. They have spoken loud.

“Please remember that we’re extending a hand of fellowship to you, no victor, no vanquished. In the true spirit of sportsmanship, if you indeed believe that you want to serve this state, you have an opportunity with us and we will open our doors to listen and to give you a space in this government.”

He also spoke out against the identity politics that became commonplace in the lead-up the polls last Saturday.

“During this campaign, unfortunately, we have seen very divisive rhetoric which is not a definition of who we are,” he said.

“So, Lagosians, we need to come together and further rebuild the capacity, the competence, and the experience that we have in this city. Religion should not divide us, ethnicity will not divide us. Lagos will come out bigger, stronger, and better.”

Labour Party candidate, Rhodes-Vivour rejected the result as he expressed disapproval of the electoral conduct in Lagos, describing the process as a sham.

KanyiDaily recalls that the incumbent governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde was declared winner of the governorship election in the state.