Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and other 39 lawmaker-Elects on Thursday received their certificates of returns.
The presentation of the certificates was conducted by the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Olusegun Agbaje at the headquarters of INEC office at Yaba, Lagos.
Addressing journalists shortly after receiving his certificate, Sanwo-Olu said, “What makes Lagos unique is the ability for us to co-exist, though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand. As a city and as a State. This is the melting pot of the country and everyone as the right to co-exist in peace and harmony. The understanding of rule of law and order, and the ability to be resilient, that is what Lagosians are all about.
“This event have further confirmed that we can live peacefully amongst ourselves. Like I have said, elections are over, politicking are over, purposeful leadership is important now. We will even do a more quicker and faster job more than the one we have done in the last four years.”
Speaking on opposition challenging the results of the election, the Governor said, That is the beauty of democracy, the constitution has expressed it for everyone but for us, the beauty is how we can accommodate everyone. I have said it earlier today and I am saying it again there will be an inclusive government and we will be willing to take advice from anyone,” the Governor stated.
In his reaction, Obasa said, “I feel highly elated, I am very happy. This presentation is a confirmation of our victory in the last poll. To what people of Lagos State should be expecting, I want to assure all Lagosians on behalf of my colleagues that we are ready to build on the last assembly ‘s success which is the 10th Assembly . We will continue to make laws that will bring progress in Lagos and we will continue to protect the interests of Lagosians, that the assurance we have with my colleagues.We are going to support the governor.
“We also have a president elect that we have so much confidence in. He was former Governor of Lagos State and his track record is all over. I can also confirm that he will do very well and all the challenges in Lagos will be a thing of the past.”
Also speaking, a member representing Eti-Osa Constituency II, Hon Gbolahan Yishawu prayed there would be more Lagos all over Nigeria.
He said, “During the campaign, I made a lot of promises to my constituency.All the things I have being doing in the past for my constituency, I will do more to make it better, trainings , youth empowerment which we have started already.
“APC has done well in this election, and our daddy , our mentor and the President elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. You look at his track record and you can see for yourself that Nigeria would be better with him being President. What he did in Lagos we know he can replicate it. If we have ten other Lagos in Nigeria , you know what that will mean. We pray to God that there will be more Lagos all over Nigeria.”
In his welcome address, Agbaje disclosed that the journey towards the success in the Governorship and State House of Assembly Election was not completely smooth, saying some desperate elements used their negative utterances to overheat the political environment.
Agbaje said, “The journey towards the accomplishment of success in the Governorship and State House of Assembly Election was not completely smooth as some desperate elements used their negative utterances which unnecessarily overheated the political environment. Armed thugs were used to unleash mayhem on the process in some areas while unfounded allegations were peddled against INEC to distract her from focusing on its mandate during the period.
“The Commission was however undaunted as it remained focused on doing all that was required within the ambit of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to avail all registered political parties that nominated candidates for the election equal opportunity to participate in the process.
“The Commission prepared adequately and set up all the machineries needed to guarantee the smooth conduct of election in the State. The preparation to the 2023 General Election commenced with the expansion of Voters access to polling units in 2021 which culminated in the increase of polling units in the State from 8,464 to 13, 325 polling units.
“This development necessitated huge personnel, vehicles and materials deployed for the election in the State. This was followed by the Continuous Voter Registration exercise of June, 2021/July 2022 that led to new voter population of 7,060,195 in Lagos State. The total number of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collected in the State was 6,214,970 which was at its peak at 88%. As part of the electoral activity lined up for the General Election, political parties conducted their Congresses and Primaries that produced candidates through which all those we are giving Certificates of Return today emerged as winners at the election.
“It is important to point out that the successful outcome of the Lagos State Governorship and State House of Assembly Election would not have been possible without the support and cooperation of the electorate who came out to vote for the candidates of their choice. This is a vindication of our repeated declaration in the run up to the election that “only the people of Lagos State with their PVCs will decide the winner of the election and not INEC”.
“Let me once again reassure all stakeholders in the Nation’s Electoral Process that INEC under the leadership of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, will never do anything that will alter the gains it has achieved in terms of credibility. Rather, the Commission will continue to build on her credibility by doing everything possible in line with the rule of law towards ensuring that it becomes one of the best Election Management Bodies in the world that meets the aspirations of the Nigerian people. I therefore urge all of you to join hands with INEC as the Commission continues to improve the electoral process by positively playing your roles.
“The political class must however change its “do or die” attitude to good conduct in politics. Political culture of violence, malpractices, thuggery, vote buying and all other forms of election vices has to be done away with by Political Party leaders. This they can do by letting their followers know that violence, malpractices, thuggery and all other election vices are not only crimes, but evil forces that can hinder the progress of the country’s democratic process. In addition, there is pressing need for increased partnership and cooperation among and between stakeholders if Nigeria must attain her desired sustainable democratic ideals.”
