‘Lagos is welcoming’ — Sanwo-Olu calls for unity after winning re-election

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, has called for unity in the state amid the divisive rhetorics that trailed his reelection bid.

On Monday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Sanwo-Olu as the winner of the Lagos governorship election.

Sanwo-Olu polled 762,134 votes to win the election for a second term of four years.

The Labour Party (LP) came second with 312,329 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trailed in third place with 62,449 votes.

A few days to Lagos governorship election, there were divisive statements made on and off social media. This led to attacks on some voters on Saturday.

In his victory speech on Monday, Sanwo-Olu said elections should be based on competence and experience rather than ethnicity or religion.

The Lagos governor said the “true Lagos spirit” is a welcoming and liberal one rather than what was demonstrated in recent weeks.

“During the course of the campaign, we sadly saw a lot of divisive rhetoric used. Elections should be about capacity, competence, and experience, not ethnicity or religion,” Sanwo-Olu said.

“I salute those who refused to be divided by hateful and hurtful ethnic profiling. Recent skirmishes in some LGAs resulting in injuries are reprehensible and not reflective of who we are.

“Law enforcement and security agencies have been directed to ensure that those found culpable face the full wrath of the law.

“Very importantly, and this cannot be overemphasised: What unites us as Lagosians is far more important and substantial than whatever differences exist among us.

“As your governor, I will do everything in my power to ensure that genuine healing takes place. We will continue to run an inclusive government that delivers for all the people of Lagos, wherever in the State they may be living.

“The true Lagos spirit is a welcoming, embracing, liberal one, not a divisive, exclusionary one. In the days and weeks and months ahead, we will continue to do everything to demonstrate and amplify this.

“We must reaffirm the spirit of solidarity and togetherness that binds us as Lagosians. Our work will continue, and there will be no break. The dividends of democracy must continue to be delivered.”