Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu, has extended an olive branch to his opponents from the 2023 governorship election, urging them to join forces in developing Lagos State. Sanwo Olu emphasized the importance of collaborative governance, highlighting that innovative ideas are not exclusive to his administration.
The call for unity follows the Supreme Court’s confirmation of Sanwo-Olu’s election, reinforcing earlier decisions by the tribunal and the Appeal Court. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party candidate, had challenged the candidacy of SanwoOlu’s deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, alleging the renouncement of Nigerian citizenship.
The court clarified that citizenship renunciation requires presidential registration, citing the lack of evidence from the appellant.
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Another opponent, Abdulazeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor from the Peoples Democratic Party, raised concerns about discrepancies in Sanwo-Olu’s name on his INEC submission and his WAEC certificate. The apex court dismissed this appeal as “academic.”
In response to the verdict, Sanwo Olu expressed gratitude for the reaffirmation of the people’s mandate and the rule of law. He underlined the inclusive governance approach since May 29, 2019, inviting those on the sidelines to contribute to progressive governance.
The Governor commended the judiciary’s meticulous judgment and reaffirmed his commitment to service. He stated, “There was no victor or vanquished,” echoing his acceptance speech post-election. Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the victory is not just for him and his deputy but for democracy, the rule of law, and the entire populace of Lagos State.
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Sanwo-Olu concluded by stating that the judicial victory would inspire him and his deputy to intensify their efforts in office. He assured Lagosians that the administration would remain focused on delivering more dividends of democracy in line with their THEMES+ developmental agenda.
