Ambode hails tribunal ruling

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Wednesday described the confirmation of his victory at the polls as a reaffirmation of the mandate given to him by the people of the state.

Ambode said this in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Habib Aruna while reacting to the ruling of the State Election Petition Tribunal headed by Justice Mohammed Sirajo.

“I am elated at the ruling of the tribunal which is an affirmation of my victory at the polls.

“On April 11, 2015, the people of Lagos spoke with their votes about continuity and that is what the tribunal has just reaffirmed.

“The task ahead requires concerted efforts from everyone,” he said.

Ambode urged all his opponents to put the election struggles behind them and in the spirit of sportsmanship, join hands with him to take the state to the next level.

“It was needless in the first place for the PDP to have petitioned my election which was adjudged to be free, fair and credible.

“Now that the right thing has been done, which of course the people expected, we should all come together above partisanship and move the state forward,” Ambode said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tribunal on Wednesday struck out the petition filed against the election of Ambode by the PDP candidate, Mr Jimi Agbaje following a preliminary objection filed by the governor’s counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN).