The 14th Lagos State Governor and governor elect, Akinwunmi Ambode has declared
that he won’t discriminate against any tribe in the course of
governing the state.
He made the declaration in his acceptance speech shortly
before he received his Certificate of Return from the
Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for
emerging winner in the governorship poll conducted in Lagos,
western Nigeria, on Saturday.
Ambode polled 811,994 votes to defeat Agbaje who polled
659,788 votes in a keenly contested governorship election.
The governor-elect received INEC’s Certificate of Return at the
All Progressives Congress, APC, Secretariat around 8:30p.m.
on Sunday after delivering his acceptance speech.
The Certificate of Return was collected on his behalf from
INEC and delivered to him by Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi.
He said he would not betray the trust Lagosians reposed in
him, while dedicating his victory to God and to all Lagos
residents for their overwhelming support.
According to him, he would devote time to usher in greater
prosperity, growth and development of Lagos when he
assumes office as the 14th governor of the state, saying that
he would run an all inclusive government and ensure no one is
victimized in the state.
“The people of Lagos have demonstrated that it is not about
ethnicity or religion but about a common desire to enthrone
good governance. Lagos, under my watch will not
discriminate. It has not in the past and it has not in the
present and will not even in the future. There will be no
political victimization.
“In your collective wisdom, you refused to reward a party that
failed at the national level by giving that party the stewardship
of our beloved Lagos. There will be rapid development in
Lagos, you have for the first time in 16 years married
progressive governance at the national level with progressive
governance at the state level,” he said.
Ambode while dedicating his victory to Lagosians, said they
contested against the use of money and power to manipulate
votes, but that in the end, the will of the people prevailed,
saying that democracy had triumphed once again.
“I have been declared the 14th governor of Lagos State, it is
only God who crowns kings and to Him be the glory. It is you
Lagosians who won the election. For my contestant, Jimi
Agbaje, I thank you for a keen contest. I invite you and all
other contestants to work with me to move Lagos forward.
“You came out to vote and not even the threat of the enemies
to unleash mayhem could stop you. I am humbled that you
placed your trust in me.
“Our state government and the Federal Government will be one
vision, one mind and one accord and that is to govern you
wisely and not rule over you rudely. Lagos will enjoy optimal
development and growth through APC working in tandem at
the state and federal levels. This cooperation and enhanced
policy harmony will surely pay handsome dividends,” he
stated.
Ambode said the APC ran a campaign devoid of hatred and
one that embraced key issues, saying that “I am now to be
the servant of this state and to all Lagosians. I shall work for
the cause to foster development and growth of the state.”
He called for concerted efforts to move the state forward to
greater heights.