Candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) during Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has emerged victorious at the polls.
Mr Sanwo-Olu took to Twitter to celebrate the development, whilst noting that his opponent, Mr Jimi Agbaje of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), had called to concede defeat.
At exactly 19:07, I received a call.
Thank you @jimiagbaje for your congratulatory call filled with kind words.
It was an intense campaign and I am happy we can now focus on the very important job at hand; delivering a Lagos that works for all.#ForAGreaterLagos pic.twitter.com/VUDwDJzBQX
— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) March 10, 2019
Mr Sanwo-Olu will be taking over the state’s leadership from Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, whom he defeated during the Lagos State APC primaries in 2018.
This victory will help to cement the dominance of the APC Chieftain — Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose political influence has been a pivotal force propelling the party’s success at both the national and state levels.
On the flip side, it should be noted that this is the sixth time (since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999) that candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have tried abortively to wrestle power from Mr Tinubu’s political party.
An important victory for Mr Tinubu and the APC
Lagos State is an important political stronghold for the All Progressive Congress, considering the country’s political situation. Therefore, losing the gubernatorial election to the opposition was out of the question for Mr Tinubu and his loyalists. Little wonder they did “everything possible” to ensure victory.
What does this victory mean for Lagos State?
Let us start with the most obvious implication — the fact that Lagosians will now have to witness another four years of APC Government. While successive APC Governors have done their best to develop the state, there is still a lot yet to be done. And since no other political party has had the chance to try, Lagosians might never get the opportunity to receive a different solution to their many infrastructural and economic challenges.
But Mr Sanwo-Olu’s win could also have many positive implications. For one, the APC will get to continue the implementation of their economic agender for the State. Moreover, the Governor-elect now has the opportunity to even continue some of the favourable policies of his soon to be predecessor. This might never have happened, had the PDP candidate won.
Lagos State is Nigeria’s biggest economy, as well as the main economic hub in the entire West African region. Therefore, it’s administration is a serious job, one that must be taken seriously.
Congratulations sir, but don't celebrate yet because the task ahead is much more bigger but I know you will surely succeed
— Babalola Wasiu Olalekan (@olamilek) March 10, 2019
