Lagos APC primary: Real reason Ambode conceded defeat to Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, conceded victory to Babajide
Sanwo-Olu in the All Progressives Congress primary election to avoid
impeachment.

DAILY POST reported yesterday that Ambode, in a brief press conference
conceded defeat and congratulated his opponent Sanwo-Olu.

Before his shock acceptance of the result, there had been expectation
that the governor would fight the declaration of Sanwo-Olu as the
winner of the state's Tuesday governorship primary.

The election result was initially cancelled by the APC National
Working Committee panel that had promised to announce a new date for
the primary.

The panel also made a U-turn on Wednesday to declare Sanwo-Olu the
winner, sparking speculations that the governor would reject the move.

But a few hours after the panel's new decision, Ambode's media team
sent a press statement that the governor would host a "world press
briefing" causing more speculations even suggestions that he might
dump the ruling party.

Ambode eventually accepted defeat and congratulated Sanwo-Olu.

Now Punch claims that sources from both Ambode and a National Leader
of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu's camps said that the move was meant
to remove the tension, as well as avert the impeachment move being
considered by party elders.

The newspaper reports that before and after the broadcast, Ambode had
contacted Tinubu and some party leaders in a bid to assure them of his
loyalty to the party, and in order to avert the impeachment option.

The APC Publicity Secretary in Lagos State, Joe Igbokwe, said he did
not know about any peace move by the incumbent governor, as well as
any deal.

He said, "I don't know about that."

Another source told Punch, "He (Ambode) did not want the matter to get
to that level; that is why he accepted the defeat to reduce the
tension in the state and stop any panicky action by the party elders.
He also wanted them to leave him in peace to complete all his
projects," the source said.

One of Tinubu's aides also said it was still early to say.

He said, "Ambode just made his speech, every other thing would flow
from the governor's decision to accept defeat and congratulate
Sanwo-Olu."