Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has praised the decision of the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos that validated his re-election in the governorship election in March 2023.
In a statement released by the governor on Wednesday, Sanwo-Olu said the votes given to him and his deputy Obafemi Hamzat are not taken for granted.
“With a sense of humility, I welcome the decision of the Court of Appeal, which ruled today in our favour, thereby validating the position of Lagosians who freely cast their ballots to return my deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and I as Governor and Deputy Governor of our dear State. We do not take it for granted.”
“Today’s judicial pronouncements, like those of the Lagos State Elections Petition Tribunal, have buoyed my confidence in our country’s judicial system. The Court examined all the issues and did justice to them, without leaving anyone in doubt as to who is the rightful winner of the election”
He said the All Progressives Congress’ belief in the Judiciary, as he is now focused on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Lagos State.
“Our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) will continue to maintain its firm belief in the judicial process.
My deputy and I have satisfied all the constitutional requirements and are now more focused on delivering the democratic dividends to our people”.
“With deep gratitude to the Almighty God, I humbly accept today’s Appeal Court verdict, with a sense of responsibility and a desire to continue with the giant strides of our administration so as to leave a great legacy for our people”.
“The judicial victory has further strengthened my resolve to impact the lives of Lagos residents positively, regardless of their political persuasion, in line with our THEMES+ development agenda”.
He concluded by waving an olive branch to his opponents in the March election to join hands with him in the development of the state.
“We urge our opponents to embrace the olive branch and join our sure march to the Greater Lagos that keeps rising by the day”.
The People Democratic Party candidate Olajide Abdulazeez Adediran and the Labour party Candidate Gbadebo Rhodes Vivour had proceeded to the appeal court, challenging the election of Gov Sanwo-Olu after the Governorship Election Tribunal had validated the March 2023 election.
Below is the full Statement from Gov Sanwo-Olu
Appeal Court Ruling: Sanwo-Olu hails Judiciary, recommits self to Greater Lagos Agenda
With sense of humility, I welcome the decision of the Court of Appeal, which ruled today in our favour, thereby validating the position of Lagosians who freely cast their ballots to return my deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and I as Governor and Deputy Governor of our dear State. We do not take it for granted.
Today’s judicial pronouncements, like those of the Lagos State Elections Petition Tribunal, have buoyed my confidence in our country’s judicial system. The Court examined all the issues and did justice to them, without leaving anyone in doubt as to who is the rightful winner of the election.
Our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) will continue to maintain its firm belief in the judicial process.
My deputy and I have satisfied all the constitutional requirements and are now more focused on delivering the democratic dividends to our people.
With deep gratitude to the Almighty God, I humbly accept today’s Appeal Court verdict, with a sense of responsibility and a desire to continue with the giant strides of our administration so as to leave a great legacy for our people.
The judicial victory has further strengthened my resolve to impact the lives of Lagos residents positively, regardless of their political persuasion, in line with our THEMES+ development agenda.
We urge our opponents to embrace the olive branch and join our sure march to the Greater Lagos that keeps rising by the day.
May God bless Lagos State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu
15th November 2023.
