LAGOS State governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, on Sunday, reacted to the victory of Mr Akinwunmi Ambode as the Governor-elect of the state, thanking residents of the state, for keeping faith with the model of common widespread development that gives people the dignity to compete, rather than being a model of patronage a few days to an election.

The Governor, who spoke in an interview with State House Correspondents at the Lagos House, Marina after the formal declaration of  Ambode as the Governor-elect of the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), added that the people had chosen service, competition and choice over very banal patronage a few weeks to an election.

He reiterated that he was happy that the hard work in the last eight years had been vindicated, saying that he was delighted that given this mandate to Mr Ambode, the people of Lagos had connected with the choice and model of governance and had chosen the accelerated development, where one would have an opportunity, without having to know anybody.

Also, the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Lagos State, has expressed its appreciation to Lagos residents  for speaking with their votes and consequently renewing its confidence in the party and its leaders they had known in the past 16 years.

In a release signed by Mr Joe Igbokwe, the state publicity secretary, the party said, “words are not enough to express its dept of gratitude and satisfaction for the boldness and courage displayed by Lagos voters in voting for continuity in the centre of excellence.

“In the face of harassment, intimidation and brigandage from the powers that be,  APC lovers showed infectious and contagious love for the party and its leaders they have known for years now.

“APC lovers in Lagos did not succumb to blatant lies, hate campaigns, politics of the stomach, ethnic and tribal politics and politics of Naira, Dollars and Pounds Sterling. They were not swayed because they understand what is at stake. They did not see these inducements as low hanging fruits to take advantage of. They were smart, courageous and determined to use the power of votes to sustain the intelligent leadership and governance in Lagos,” it stated.

Meanwhile, Lagos State governor-elect, Mr Akinwunmi  Ambode has thanked Lagos residents for choosing continuity over uncertain future and for their refusal to give stewardship of the state to a “party that failed at the national level.”

Amidst jubilations following his victory at the polls, Ambode, on Sunday evening, pledged to usher in greater prosperity, growth and development to the state, in order to further expand the legacy of good governance and progress bequeathed by his predecessors.

Ambode, who spoke to jubilant party supporters, friends and relations as well as newsmen at the secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Acme Road, Ogba, said he would build on the legacy and progress of  Senator Bola Tinubu and Mr Babatunde Fashola, to bring the best out of the state in the next four years.

Noting that Lagos residents had demonstrated that Lagos is not about ethnicity or religion but about a common desire to enthrone good governance, the governor-elect also pledged not to discriminate either on grounds of ethnicity or religion, adding that such discrimination had neither happened in the past nor would it happen at the present or in the future.

He expressed gratitude to Lagos residents for the confidence reposed in him by voting him in as their next Governor, pointing out that although he won at the polls, the victory belonged to the people of Lagos who, according to him, braved the elements and other anomalies to register their preference.

In a related development, the Senator-elect for Lagos West and the chairman of the House of Representative Committee on Public Account, Honourable Solomon Adeola has congratulated Lagos State governor-elect Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and Lagos residents on the unique electoral victory for a progressive government.

Honourable Adeola said the victory of Ambode showed the overwhelming preference of Lagos residents for continuity of  good governance and development that started in the state in 1999, under the administration of (APC) national leader, Senator Bola Tinubu, adding that Lagos State is set for a better future with the expected synergy between the APC-led Federal Government and  the progressive government that Lagos State had been known for over the years since independence.