Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer in the February 25, 2023 poll, says he is bound to accept the outcome of the recently concluded election as a Democrat.
The former Lagos State governor also stated that the victory of his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Peter Obi, in the state demonstrates the beauty of democracy.
Tinubu also urged his supporters to remain calm and peaceful, stating that Obi’s victory in Lagos should not be used to incite violence.
“The APC candidate further said that as a democrat he is bound to accept the outcome of any election whether favourable or not,” said a statement by the Director, Media & Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Bayo Onanuga on Monday.
Tinubu also expressed grave concern about reports of violence in various parts of the state, particularly attacks on Igbo traders.
The former governor of Lagos State condemned all forms of violence against people of any ethnic group in Lagos.
“The fact that the APC narrowly lost Lagos State to another party should not be the reason for violence. As a democrat, you win some, you lose some. We must allow the process to continue unhindered across the country while we maintain peace and decorum,” the statement said.
Obi received 582,454 votes, outnumbering the former Lagos State governor, who received 572,606 votes.
From 1999 to 2007, the governor of the state was based in Lagos. Obi also defeated PDP candidate Atiku Abubakar and New Nigeria Peoples Party candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso (NNPP).
Kwankwaso received 8,442 votes, while Atiku received 75,750 votes.
Though Tinubu won 11 local government areas in the state, Obi received a landslide victory in nine powerful local governments with numerical strength, including Alimosho, Ojo and Oshodi-Isolo, Kosofe, and Amuwo Odofin, among others.
The total number of accredited votes in the state is 1,347,452, the total number of valid votes is 1,271,451, the total number of rejected votes is 64,278 and the total number of votes cast is 1,335,729.