The two-day Lagos State APC governorship primary ended in Lagos on Friday with Mr Akin Ambode scoring 3,735 votes.
Former Commissioner for Works in the state, Dr Obafemi Hamzat came second with 1,201 votes while Senator Ganiyu Solomon scored 272 votes to pick the third spot.
About 5,700 delegates from 20 local government areas cast their votes for the 13 candidates who sought the ticket of the party.
Mr. Akinwunmi polled 3,735 votes to emerge the party’s flag bearer at next year’s general election.
Obafemi Hamzat took the second position with 1,201 votes.
Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, came a distant third with 182 votes.
During vote counting, the moment Mr. Ambode’s tally overtook that of Mr. Hamzat, the people in the VIP section of Onikan Stadium, jumped and cheered in jubilation. Mr. Ambode, who had been seated through the night, sat quietly and savoured the moment.
13 aspirants participated in the party’s governorship ticket, but by the time the final result was announced, Mr. Ambode, the eventual winner, was the only one left at the venue.
The other 12 candidates had left by Thursday evening.
Other aspirants scored as follows: Lanre Ope [0 vote ], Tokunbo Wahab [7 votes], Adekunle Disu [9 votes], Abayomi Sutton [0 vote], Tokunbo Agbesanwa [0 vote], Adeyemi Ikuforiji [182 votes], Tola Kasali [68 votes], Supo Shasore [121 votes], Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon (GOS) [272 votes], Lekan Pitan [112 votes], Obafemi Hamzat [1,201].
The exercise was largely peaceful but with Mr. Tinubu discreetly anointing a candidate, it was a one-sided race all along, with Mr. Ambode largely projected to win. He did not prove bookmakers wrong.
Mr. Ambode, 51, is a former Accountant-General for Lagos.
Not known to be a politician before now, Mr. Ambode frequently flaunts his public service credentials.
At his official declaration to run on October 24, Mr. Ambode said he played an important role in raising Lagos State’s monthly internally generated revenue from N600 million to N12 billion.
“I am resolved to offer you genuine leadership that will be accountable with all the principles of good governance, a government of inclusion that will not leave any race or gender behind. No matter your age, sex, tribe or any other status, as long as you reside in Lagos, we will make Lagos liveable for you,” he said at the time.
“We will work to create opportunities for all and offer selfless service. As we proceed we will leave no one behind. What our great party stands for is change, positive change. We will create wealth. We will create new jobs. We will challenge ourselves to make Lagos a better place. We will take Lagos to the next level. We are going to do it together.”'
Mr. Ambode promised to run an inclusive government that would cater for the aged, widows, artisans, students, children, the physically challenged, professionals.
“For corporate Lagos, Lagos is open for business, even for greater business. We have the political will to move Lagos to the next level. We are going to face our challenges by ourselves. Nobody is going to do that for us. With our collective will, we will overcome them.
“I call on all Muslims, Christians, and people of other religious persuasions to come out en masse and ensure we vote in a candidate that has the interest of Lagos and Lagosians at heart. A candidate that is passionate about Lagos. A candidate that truly understands the needs of the ordinary people. I am that candidate.”
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