Lagos State Governor-elect Akinwunmi Ambode gave his acceptance speech at the party secretariat, Lagos. Musa Odoshimokhe was there.
The secretariat of the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) on Acme Road, Ogba, Ikeja was a beehive of activities last Sunday. The Lagos State Governor-elect, Akinwunmi Ambode, was expected to deliver his acceptance speech at the venue. This was the first time a governor-elect would be performing the ritual at the APC secretariat.
It was, therefore, imperative to raise the bar of the official acceptance ceremony and make the event worthwhile. The urgency of the ceremony was underscored by the short notice the party gave stakeholders who witnessed the historic event. Given the political mudslinging and campaign of calumny that characterised the 2015 elections, the ceremony was necessary to douse the tension.
The musical band that performed that night came to the secretariat around 2.20 pm, to make preparations for the envisaged victory party.
The preparations started when news that Ambode was coasting to victory went viral on the social media. Lagosians were in jubilant mood. In commercial vehicles, beer parlours and eateries, the celebration had already started.
The APC faithful all over the state were in estatic mood; it would have been inconceivable for Lagos not to align with the incoming party at the centre.
The celebration was a purely party affair; it was time to rekindle the kindred spirit which bound lovers of democracy together. It was time to thank God for a victory well deserved and above all to commit the incoming governors to the hand of God for protection.
Some large containers were being filled with drinks, bottled water and beverages. The caterers equally tried to do their best, by ensuring that the delicacies were sumptuously prepared.
But, the atmosphere became more animated when the live band began to entertain the crowd, which was increasing in leaps and bounds. The party official slogan, ‘APC change’ was relaxed for ‘APC continuity’. The mood of the people suggested that they were happy with the APC-led administration in Lagos.
By now people were anxious to see the arrival of the Governor-elect. But, he was to arrive the venue much later, after celebrations have reached high gear. This, notwithstanding, there was no dull moment for those who gathered to witness the event.
The celebration reached a crescendo, when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) eventually declared Ambode the winner of the governorship contest.
Then, news filtered in that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Jimi Agbaje had conceded defeat and congratulated the Governor-elect.
By 8.15, Ambode made a triumphant entry into the secretariat. The Deputy Governor-elect, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, who came some 15 minutes earlier, was still felicitating with the crowd when Ambode came in. The shout Ambo, Atide rent the air momentarily, throwing the venue into a wild jubilation.
He stepped out of the car and hugged Dr. Adebule and other dignitaries. The surging crowd refused to create passage for the Governor elect. But, his aides and security men had to make way for him to enable him move to the office of the Lagos State APC chairman, Otunba Dele Ajomale.
The victory party started formally 30 minutes later, when party leaders took their seats at the podium. The Lagos APC Publicity Secretary Joe Igbokwe announced the commencement of the ceremony and urged everybody to be seated. For about five minutes the live band thrilled the audience, hailing APC as the new hope for the ordinary man.
Igbokwe, who served as Master of Ceremony, called on the party chairman, Otunba Ajomale to address the audience. The audience listened to the message, but the shouts of Ambode interrupted the address from time to time.
Ajomale thanked Lagosians for their resolve to vote APC, saying the party would not disappoint them. He paid glowing tribute to party leaders and the governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN.
He said: “Let me thank our Governor Fashola for his tireless role in ensuring that we emerged victorious during the election. We are equally thankful to our party leaders Jagaban Borgu, Asiwaju of Africa who made it possible for this day.
“I thank all the Lagosians for defying whatever obstacles that were put on their ways, who have confidence in us and voted massively for our candidate who today has emerged as the governor elect.
“I want to invite the Governor-elect, who is the symbol of the party to present his speech to Lagosians. I want you all to listen to him as we cart a new course,” he said.
When the Governor-elect stood up to make his speech, the audience took to the dance floor, dancing to the admiration of the newly elected governor in waiting.
He could not suppress his feeling and had to join them in response to the music emanating from the speakers. When the noise finally died down, the Governor-elect delivered his emotion-ladden speech, which bookmakers described as suitable for the occassion.
The Governor-elect thanked all those who made the dream a reality for him. He singled out two persons, Asiwaju Tinubu and Governor Fashola, for praise. But, he craved the indulgence of those he could menction, noting that they were equally very important.
Ambode said a new dawn has come where nobody will be discriminated against just like previous administration under the umbrella of the progressive’s mandate.
He said: “The people of Lagos have spoken. With one voice, they have chosen continuity over an uncertain future. You came out peacefully to cast your vote. Not even the threat of our opponent to unleash mayhem could have kept you from having a date with destiny.
“And because you have answered our call to come out and vote and handed our party, APC victory at the polls you have sealed a pact with democracy and good governance.”
Ambode expressed humility for the trust and confidence reposed in him, to mover the Centre of Excellence to the next level. “The love of this state and our common belief in what we can accomplish, our belief in what this state already is and in what it is destined to become binds us together in a social and moral contract of high purpose.”
He promised to honour the pact he had with Lagosians, stressing that the state will witness growth, prosperity and development under the new deal.
He added that he would build on the legacy of the former governor of the state, Asiwaju Tinubu and Governor Fashola, stressing that he would employ the best hands to assist him the in task ahead. He said appointment shall be based on merit, promising to tow the line of his predecessors.
“The people of Lagos have demonstrated that Lagos is not about ethnicity or religion, but about a common desire to enthrone good governance. Lagos under my watch will not discriminate. It has not in the past. And will not in the present. Not even in the future. There will be no political victimization.”
Ambode thanked the electorate for refusing to reward the PDP, which had failed at the national level, adding that the people would be rewarded for their unwavering faith in the Common Sense Revolution.
