APC Guber Primary: Ambode Woos Defeated Aspirants

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines Friday, December 5th, 2014

By Ayo Balogun, Lagos – The Lagos All Progressive Congress (APC) Governorship candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode has extended the olive branch to 12 other aspirants he defeated at the primaries to team up with him to move Lagos forward.

Former Accountant General of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode

Ambode, in his acceptance speech after he won the primary election to fly the banner of the APC in next year’s governorship election in Lagos commended other aspirants for putting on a good fight.

“It is with a deep sense of gratitude and humility that I accept this ticket to run as the flag bearer of our great party, APC in the 2015 gubernatorial elections. This victory was made possible by you the people. And to my fellow contestants, I have nothing but commendation and respect for putting up a good fight.

“The success of this primary and the victory that has come out of it is not just for me but for all of us that stepped into the water. It is a victory for Lagosians and for democracy. I thank all the delegates, over 6,000 of you who voted according to your conscience. For once, you did not wavered in your faith in the process put in place by our great party, APC,” he said.

According to Ambode, “the orderliness, the transparency of the process and the spirit of sportsmanship devoid of bitterness that characterized this process signpost a better future for our democracy. Our party has demonstrated to all that we are a party of great minds and democratic ideals.

“The flag of the party that you have handed over to me, I accept with a deep sense of history, knowing full well that Lagos deserves nothing but the best in terms of good governance and dynamic development. We have a legacy to build upon. We have a challenge to meet and speedily too. The responsibility belongs to all of us.”

Ambode appealed to party faithful to put aside the disappointment of yesterday and embrace the opportunity of today as the future begins today, adding that “we must never forget that the future of Lagos is bigger than the summation of our ambitions.”

“After this victory, we must move quickly to retain the party APC in the column of the progressives by returning the APC to power in Lagos. The task ahead of is daunting, but surmountable. We have only just commenced the first phase of the execution of our political agenda. The next phase beckons. We must all work together to usher APC back into power in Lagos state,” he said.

Ambode promised never to waiver or fail, promising to energize and mobilize the party’s teeming supporters in the next phase of this struggle.

“I put myself to the task, knowing full well that the foundation laid must never be destroyed but built upon. I commit to the continuation of excellence and the upliftment of the lives of all Lagosians,” he said.