Barring renewed stories of agitation by 11 out of the 13 gubernatorial aspirants over a preferable voting module, the primary election eventually went on to be conducted peacefully as earlier scheduled.
Akinwunmi Ambode polled a massive 3,735 votes out of the valid 5,724 delegates’ votes cast. In a distant second was Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat with 1,201 votes. Senator Ganiyu Solomon accrued 272 votes to be in third position, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji in fourth with 182, Supo Shasore polled 121 votes to achieve fifth, Dr. Leke Pitan got 112 votes for sixth position while 69 votes made Dr. Tola Kasali seventh.
Sparse figures of 17, 9 and 7 were votes gotten by Tayo Ayinde, Adekunle Disu and Tokunbo Wahab respectively.
Aspirants Lanre Ope, Abayomi Sutton and Tokunbo Agbesanwa successfully polled 0 vote in all.
The voting process kicked off with delegates from the Epe Division at about 2:15pm. Other 19 LGAs took turns to enfranchise deep into the evening till voting was concluded by Lagos Island LGA around 9:30pm.
Sorting of the votes commenced around 10pm, and signs of Akinwunmi Ambode’s victory became clear as he raced to a steep early lead, moving on to amass the most votes in each of the ballot boxes sorted.
After a strenuous collation and counting session, the head of the electoral committee, Reverend Peter Obada, reviewed the results of the election and announced Akinwunmi Ambode as the winner having gotten the highest number of the total votes. Rev Obada saluted the aspirants and delegates for their maturity and lawfulness which made it possible to achieve a seamless election process.
Ambode dedicated the victory first to the Almighty God without who the victory couldn’t have been achieved. He thanked the party leadership and the party faithful for the unflinching support they had given to his selfless aspiration. More for showing dedication and patience to ensure success of the primaries.
He eulogized the party as one of great minds and the type that epitomizes enviable internal democracy.
He used the opportunity to remind the party faithful and all Lagosians that the job is just half-done, with the general elections still coming soon. In the spirit of excellence that Lagos state is known for, a clearly excited Ambode urged them to remain resolute with him to achieve greater levels of good governance for the state, through their votes come February 2015.
Excellence just got birthed in Lagos