APC Gubernatorial Primaries: Sanwo-Olu Hails Voters’ Turnout, Describes Poll As Free, Fair
By BENJAMIN OMOIKE, LAGOS, Nigeria – Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has commended the electorate for turning out en-masse to support the Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, who is the consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state gubernatorial election.
Sanwo-Olu, who arrived at the Ward E3, St Stephens (WAEC) School, Lagos Island polling with his wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, at 1144am, on Thursday, participated in the primary election and described the exercise as peaceful, orderly and reflective of internal party democracy. He noted that the direct primary process allowed party members at the ward level to freely participate in the emergence of the party’s governorship candidate. Speaking after casting his vote, Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that electoral officials and party representatives were on ground to ensure a credible exercise, noting the impressive turnout of APC faithful at the ward level. The governor commended the conducive atmosphere at the venue, where about 1,810 people participated, describing it as “calm and family-like”, despite the large crowd that gathered before noon to participate in the exercise. Governor Sanwo-Olu, who openly declared support for the Deputy Governor, expressed confidence that Hamzat would emerge as the party’s flag-bearer and eventually win the governorship election. He commended party officials from Abuja and the APC leadership for conducting the exercise peacefully and transparently. Also at the event, Chairman of the Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, Alade Folawiyo, described the turnout as massive and impressive. Folawiyo expressed optimism that Hamzat would consolidate on the achievements of the Sanwo-Olu administration if elected governor of the state. He passed a vote of confidence in the deputy governor, saying that he possessed adequate experience and understanding of governance of the state at all levels. The Lagos Island boss affirmed that continuity in leadership would sustain ongoing infrastructural development and security improvements across the state. While commending the people for turning out en-masse, Folawiyo said: “I am so happy that people can see it in the people’s mouth. I see the kind of enthusiasm and happiness in the face of everybody in this ward.”
