Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos State Governor’s race primary election and will run for re-election in 2023.

Sanwo entered the race as the sole candidate after his challengers, Mr Wale Oluwo and a former permanent secretary, Abdul-Ahmed Mustapha, failed to participate in the primaries held on Thursday, May 26, 2022, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan.

Alhaji Adamu Yuguda, Chairman of the APC Electoral Committee/Returning Officer, announced the results, saying the Governor received 1,170 votes from delegates to secure the ticket.

Yuguda also revealed that 1,225 ad hoc delegates were expected to attend the special congress, but only 198 were accredited across the state’s 20 Local Government Areas.

He said: “For those who have been murmuring, we have three aspirants that purchased forms in Abuja. Three of them went for screening, one was cleared and two were disqualified.

“The total number of voters are 1, 225; total number of accredited votes – 1,198; the total votes cast – 1,182, the total number of valid votes -1,170 while the invalid votes are 12.

“So, the candidate with the highest number of votes is Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu who scored 1,170 votes.

“I, Alhaji Adamu Shettima Yuguda, the Chairman, governorship primary committee in the 2023 APC primary in Lagos state, hereby declare Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu the winner, haven scored the highest number of votes.”

In his acceptance speech, the governor commended the electoral committee, supporting staff and all delegates for considering him worthy to be the party’s flag bearer.

He also praised the Lagos State Executive of the APC led by Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, his cabinet members, party faithful and observers for their efforts and support

“Our delegates have defied the rain. They have spoken and they have spoken well.

“This is an affirmation that you want us to continue and we will not disappoint you.

“In all facets, Lagos residents should expect a lot more from us. We will not disappoint or betray the confidence reposed in us.

“I want to say that indeed, this is the beginning of bigger work that we have for Lagos,”

Sanwo-Olu’s next task will be to win the secondary election which will come up in 2023.