Lagos APC primary: Why Ambode conceded defeat to Sanwo-Olu

Akinwunmi Ambode

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, conceded victory to Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the All Progressives Congress primary election to avoid impeachment.

It would be recalled that Ambode, in a brief press conference yesterday, conceded defeat and congratulated his opponent Sanwo-Olu.

Before his shock acceptance of the result, there had been expectation that the governor would fight the declaration of Sanwo-Olu as the winner of the state’s Tuesday governorship primary.

The election result was initially cancelled by the APC National Working Committee panel that had promised to announce a new date for the primary.

The panel also made a U-turn on Wednesday to declare Sanwo-Olu the winner, sparking speculations that the governor would reject the move.

But a few hours after the panel’s new decision, Ambode’s media team sent a press statement that the governor would host a “world press briefing” causing more speculations even suggestions that he might dump the ruling party.

Ambode eventually accepted defeat and congratulated Sanwo-Olu.

Now Punch claims that sources from both Ambode and a National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s camps said that the move was meant to remove the tension, as well as avert the impeachment move being considered by party elders.

The newspaper reports that before and after the broadcast, Ambode had contacted Tinubu and some party leaders in a bid to assure them of his loyalty to the party, and in order to avert the impeachment option.

The APC Publicity Secretary in Lagos State, Joe Igbokwe, said he did not know about any peace move by the incumbent governor, as well as any deal.

He said, “I don’t know about that.”

Another source told Punch, “He (Ambode) did not want the matter to get to that level; that is why he accepted the defeat to reduce the tension in the state and stop any panicky action by the party elders. He also wanted them to leave him in peace to complete all his projects,” the source said.

One of Tinubu’s aides also said it was still early to say.

He said, “Ambode just made his speech, every other thing would flow from the governor’s decision to accept defeat and congratulate Sanwo-Olu.”