By Wale Odunsi The Labour Party, LP, has announced its readiness to challenge its loss to the All Progressives Congress, APC, at the...
By Wale Odunsi
The Labour Party, LP, has announced its readiness to
challenge its loss to the All Progressives Congress, APC, at the March 18
governorship election in Lagos State.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,
declared Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu the winner after polling 762,134 votes.
The incumbent defeated the first runner-up, Labour Party’s
Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, who secured 312,329 votes.
At a media briefing on Tuesday, LP Chairman in Lagos, Mrs.
Dayo Ekong described the victory of the APC as momentary.
Ekong said the gubernatorial and assembly poll failed
democratic tests, with attacks on loyalists and agents of opposition parties.
The chairperson recalled how violence and threats scuttled
the voting process in many polling units across the state.
“Ballot boxes were snatched and burnt; all manner of evil
things happened. There was no credibility.
“It was not free, we will seek redress. Whatever it takes
for us to get justice, we will do,” Ekong, a Pastor, vowed.
She disclosed that the party would petition INEC, the police
and the military over brutal attacks on some LP members.
The LP leader said if the Lagos election goes unchallenged,
it would set a bad precedent, urging the youth not to give up.
Before the declaration of results at the collation centre,
Ekong took the microphone and berated INEC and the Resident Electoral
Commissioner, REC, Segun Agbaje.
“People died…people were disenfranchised from exercising
their civic responsibility. In Alimosho, Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki, no results from
over 1,000 units.
“This election is a sham. Election marred by violence! We
reported this case in the past election and nothing was done.
“I want to tell you, Mr. Gbaje, the REC, that you have
failed the youths. You have failed the masses, and you have not done the right
thing,” she fumed.
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