LP gearing up for legal battle, puts Sanwo-Olu on notice
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been put on notice by the Labour Party (LP) that his re-election in Lagos will be challenged in court because the governorship and state Assembly elections on March 18 broke the law.
Lagos LP Chairman Dayo Ekong said Sanwo-Olu’s victory is momentary as the elections failed all democratic tests and the LP is ready to seek redress in court.
Ekong reiterated the elections witnessed huge disruptions and violence against the loyalists and agents of the LP, which meant the ballot was not free, fair, and credible.
She expressed confidence the judiciary would do the right thing.
“There was no credibility, fairness and it was not free. I can assure you that we will seek redress, whatever it takes for us to get justice, we will do,” Ekong vowed, per Vanguard.
She disclosed the LP would also petition the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, and the military on the brutal attacks on LP members.
Ekong warned if the election and the violence are not challenged, they would set a bad precedent, as Nigeria has gone beyond such in its democratic process.
Ekong reiterated violence and threats did not allow voting to take place in many polling units across the state.
“In some places, ballot boxes were snatched and burnt and all manner of evil things happened on that day,” she added.
She urged Nigerians, especially the youth who want a better country, not to give up.
She dismissed allegation the LP is instigating violence, saying it would never instigate anyone, especially the youth it wants a better future for, to go into illegal acts.
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Falz insists Sawo-Olu ‘selected’ himself, not ‘re-elected’ by Lagosians
Musician Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana on Tuesday knocked Sanwo-Olu for rejoicing he won a second term in an election marred by unprecedented voter intimidation and suppression as well as ethnic profiling and violence.
INEC Returning Officer Adenike Oladeji, a Professor, announced on Monday that Sanwo-Olu got 762,134 votes, LP candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour (312,329), and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Abdulazeez Adediran, alias Jandor (62,449).
Oladeji said Sanwo-Olu, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), carried 19 of the 20 councils in the state.
Sanwo-Olu took to Twitter to thank Lagosians.
“Thank you Lagosians! I am deeply humbled and grateful for the overwhelming support and trust of the good people of Lagos State. I am honored to be re-elected as your Governor and pledge to continue to work tirelessly to deliver a better Lagos for all. Thank you for believing in me,” he wrote.
But Falz has countered that “you were not re-elected. You selected yourself. Everybody saw it unfold. You are only deceiving yourselves.”
When another Twitter user asked Falz if he is “pained” by Sanwo-Olu’s victory he replied: “Yes it is [pain] actually. The pain of knowing that brothers and sisters are being turned against each other in a bid to ‘win’ an election.
“Also the pain of seeing our democratic process rubbished before our very eyes.”
Skirmishes in the election
“These elections have deeply tested us as a people. This victory is not just mine, but it belongs to every Lagosian,” Sanwo-Olu added.
“I have worked hard to live up to this responsibility of governing the most important subnational economy in Africa. We certainly could not have done this by ourselves. Thank you to the Almighty God and all of Lagos. Immense gratitude goes to our great party, APC, and our President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“During the course of the campaign, we sadly saw a lot of divisive rhetoric used. Elections should be about capacity, competence, and experience, not ethnicity or religion. I salute those who refused to be divided by hateful and hurtful ethnic profiling.
“Recent skirmishes in some LGAs resulting in injuries are reprehensible and not reflective of who we are. Law enforcement and security agencies have been directed to ensure that those found culpable face the full wrath of the law.
“Very importantly, and this cannot be overemphasised: What unites us as Lagosians is far more important and substantial than whatever differences exist among us.
“As your Governor, I will do everything in my power to ensure that genuine healing takes place. We will continue to run an inclusive government, that delivers for all the people of Lagos, wherever in the State they may be living.”
