The reelected Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Santwo-Olu, has reacted to his declaration as the winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission declared him the winner of the election in the early hours of Monday.
Sanwo-Olu, who was declared winner at 1:15am, defeated 15 other candidates, including those of the Labour Party and Peoples Democratic Party, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and Abdulaziz Adeniran.
The 57-year-old polled 762,134 votes and won in 19 of the state’s 20 Local Government Areas.
Moments after the declaration by INEC, Governor Sanwo-Olu said to a cheering crowd: “To all of our fellow contestants, we want to salute you for participating in the democratic process, but Lagosians have spoken and have spoken well.
“They have spoken loud.”
He then extended his hand of fellowship to all the contestants, saying: “In the true spirit of sportsmanship, if you indeed believe that you want to serve this state, you have an opportunity with us and we will open our doors to listen and to give you a space in this government.”
While Rhodes-Viviour recorded 312,329 votes and won one LGA: Amuwo-Odofin, Adediran polled 62,449 votes to come third.