The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has extended an invitation to his opponents during the 2023 governorship election, encouraging them to join forces in the development of Lagos State. He urged both candidates to join the progressive governance train, emphasizing that he and his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, do not claim a monopoly on ideas.
This invitation follows the affirmation of Sanwo-Olu’s election by the Supreme Court, which had previously been upheld by the state tribunal and the Appeal Court. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party candidate in the election, had raised concerns about Sanwo-Olu’s running mate’s citizenship, alleging that Obafemi Hamzat had renounced his Nigerian citizenship. However, the court ruled that Sanwo-Olu’s deputy is indeed a Nigerian by birth and dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit.
Additionally, Abdulazeez Adediran, also known as Jandor, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, had contested discrepancies in the name submitted by Sanwo-Olu to the Independent National Electoral Commission and that on his WAEC certificate. The court dismissed this appeal as “academic.”
Sanwo-Olu, in his personally signed statement, expressed satisfaction with the apex court’s verdict, describing it as a validation of the will of the Lagosians who voted in the election. He emphasized that the victory is not only for him and his deputy but for the rule of law, democracy, and the entire people of Lagos State.
He further invited those who are still undecided to embrace the progressive governance agenda, highlighting the inclusive approach to governance since assuming office. Sanwo-Olu commended the judges for their well-thought-out and detailed judgment and emphasized the government’s commitment to delivering more development initiatives in line with its THEMES+ developmental agenda.
The governor concluded by expressing his gratitude to all Lagosians for their support and reiterated the government’s dedication to fulfilling the promises made to the people. He emphasized that the judicial victory would further propel their efforts and interventions to ensure the delivery of more dividends of democracy to the citizens.
