Lagos: APC, Rhodes-Vivour trade words over guber election results

All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State and the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, have traded words over the election results.

It would be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the APC candidate, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, winner having polled 762,134 votes to defeat LP’s Rhodes-Vivour who polled 312,329 votes and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate who came a distant third with 62,499.

In a series of tweets on Sunday, Rhodes-Vivour said that he was saddened by the “reports of violence and gross disenfranchisement of voters” that came out  to perform their “civic duty.”

He added that the abuse of power by the ruling party and electoral officials was a “slap on the face of democracy” and Lagosians who decided to partake in the election.

“However, I am saddened by the confirmed reports of violence and gross disenfranchisement of voters who only wished to perform their civic duty. Attacks on polling units, voters, and our party agents are totally antithetical to what we stand for & what Lagos truly represents. Collusion between the ruling party and electoral officials to return the candidate of the APC is a slap on the face of democracy and everyone who came out to vote for us on Saturday,” he tweeted. 

Rhodes-Vivour insisted that the results released by INEC does not represent the wishes of the voters in Lagos.

He challenged the result, declaring that he won the election based on results gathered by LP party agents on the field and situation room, adding that he would challenge the results in court.

Reacting to Rhodes-Vivour’s claim of winning the election, the Lagos APC in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Seye Oladejo, said that the election results were realistic and reflect the preference of the electorate.

The party said: “It was a vote for tested , trusted, compassionate and committed leadership rather than an infantile and needless experiment that was bound to set our state back.
“Lagosians spoke eloquently and loudly for a candidate who understands their expectations with the institutional experience to move our state forward.

“While we understand the shock that came with the disappointment of the crash of the crass opportunism as a result of falsehood and propaganda, the experience of Chinedu’s four earlier electoral losses should come handy.

“We want to appreciate Lagosians who trooped out to vote for our party as an expression of confidence to continue on the path of progress that has given our state a pride of place in the federation.

“We want to assure all and sundry that the trust and confidence will never be taken for granted. We will definitely fulfill our part of the social contract.

” Our government will continue on the path of non-discrimination, inclusiveness, compassion and total dedication.”

The party urged him to accept defeat and to desist from acts that were capable of disrupting the peace of the state.