LAGOS 2019:  APC governorship candidates, Governor Ambode, Sanwo-Olu fights dirty over primary ticket

SANWO-OLU:   The last may not have been heard yet about the political war going on in the ruling APC in Lagos State between the incumbent governor, Akinwunmi Ambode and his challenger, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

While addressing World Press Conference on Sunday, Governor Ambode fired the first salvo at his challenger; Sanwo-Olu whom he said had been disparaging his name few weeks back without his response.

Ambode said, “The aspirant being put against us is not a fit candidate. Party leaders have being misled to think my opposition is a better candidate.”

“This aspirant has been arrested for spending fake American dollars in a night club. It is known that he doesn’t have the competence to do what he wants to do. This is someone that was rehabilitated in the general hospital. The records are there.”

Sanwo-Olu in a swift reaction has responded to claims made by the state Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, during his world press conference.

Sanwo-Olu, in a statement made available to SOJWORLD.COM insisted that “my pursuit of office will continue to be based upon issues that matter to Lagosians. And not on attacks against someone’s character, even when he attack mine”.

In a direct response to Ambode, Sanwo-Olu said, “…I hope he regains his balance and proper comportment no matter the outcome of tomorrow’s contest”.

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The full statement read: “Let it be heard by all that I hold the people of Lagos state with great respect and affection. Their welfare is my utmost concern and it is what drives my pursuit for the governorship nomination of the APC.

As such, I also hold the office of governor of our state in high esteem. I shall never consciously do anything that will undermine the dignity of the office nor will I engage in personal attacks against the holder of that officer.

My pursuit of office will continue to be based upon issues that matter to Lagosians and not on attacks against someone’s character, even when he attack mine.

For anyone to engage in unwarranted character attacks against me, reveals more about that person’s character than it says about mine.

“Thus, I felt sad for Lagos as I watched Press Conference by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. Many things he said was beneath the dignity of our people and the exalted office he now holds.

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Perhaps the tension and anxiety of the moment got the better of him. If given a chance at cooler reflection of what he said, I am sure he would regret his descent into such low conduct.

In this vein, I forgive him and hope he regains his balance and proper comportment no matter the outcome of tomorrow’s contest.

After all, we are both here to improve Lagos not to wrestle in its streets.

“However, I must clear up some inaccuracies in the Governor’s statement. His allegation of that I was arrested for spending fake dollars at a night club in the United States was untrue. In fact, the governor knows I travelled to the United States just last month.

I would not have been allowed to travel or even get a visa if I had been involved in what the Governor falsely alleged.

“That the Governor claimed I underwent some unidentified type of “rehabilitation” at the Gbagada General Hospital was also shameless and untrue.

Promulgation of salacious rumor should not be part of the job description of a governor. This is not the stuff of high office. People should question whether it is ethically right for the Governor to turn what should be confidential medical information about a citizen into a weapon of political warfare?

But for avoidance of doubt, let it be stated that I never received any treatment whatsoever at the Gbagada General Hospital.

“Today, instead of making a convincing defense of his performance, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode sought to sow fear into the hearts of Lagosians.

“But Lagosians are an intelligent and brave people. They can see through the smoke and the fog. I am here not to tear my opponent down but to help build Lagos up.

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With me, you will hear about progress on education, health, sanitation, proper tax levels, economic development, infrastructure, jobs, public services and other things that enhance the lives of people.

I am a serious person and this primary is a serious matter. I have not the time or inclination to attack character when there are so many real issues to address.

“We will continue to focus on the issues that matter in the lives of the people of Lagos. Lagosians want an answer to the sanitation crisis cast loss of jobs caused by Mr. Ambode’s Visionscape misadventure.

Our people will want to know why Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has not been able to build a single General Hospital in the State when his immediate predecessor Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) built 11 General Hospitals.

Lagosians are waiting to hear what our solutions are. They want to know why hundreds of competent civil servants got summarily dismissed and how this has undermined public services.

“As a candidate for the party’s nomination and hopefully as your next governor, my approach will not be to sling insults but to propose solutions to the problems of the day.”

www.sojworld.com © September 30, 2018