‘I will never congratulate Sanwo-Olu’ – vows Rhodes-Vivour, calls Lagos election ‘a sham,’ heads to court

Labour Party (LP) candidate in Saturday’s governorship election in Lagos, Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has called the just-concluded exercise in the state ‘ a sham,’ just as he vowed to challenge the results in a law court.

Speaking Sunday, Rhodes-Vivour insisted that what transpired on Saturday was not an election ‘but state-backed terrorism,’ following ‘the countless instances of electoral violence that was aired on social media, where a lot of people were seen to be disenfranchised through thuggery and violence.’

“What we saw yesterday (Saturday) was Agberocracy, thuggery, hooliganism at its finest. A government by the thugs, of the thugs, for the thugs…

“Elections are supposed to be a period where people come out and exercise their rights…It’s not supposed to be war,” Rhodes-Vivour fumed.

According to the LP candidate, other than the disenfranchisement and violence, there was a deliberate attempt by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to manipulate the results in the state.

“This is what INEC is doing, and they are supposed to be the umpire. But fortunately, we have all our results, and we are going to challenge this evil that INEC in collaboration with the ruling party, has done to disenfranchise so many voters in Lagos state.

“I will never call and congratulate Sanwo-Olu for this sham of an election,” he vowed.

Rhodes-Vivour then urged the people in power who have autonomy to speak up in condemnation of these vices, just as he commended ‘those who came out in support to exercise their voting franchise.’

“For the people that came out to vote, regardless of the obstacles they may have faced, did so with courage.

 “We owe it to them to fight for every single vote, and we’re going to do just that.

“I completely condemn the entirety of this election. In every clear term, this was a sham of an election that has not been seen in Lagos since I have been born,” he said.

Speaking earlier, Sunday, via his verified Twitter handle, the LP candidate had raised the alarm as he accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of colluding with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to manipulate Saturday’s governorship election.

According to him, the election was rigged for incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to return to the office for a second term.

“I am saddened by the confirmed reports of violence and gross disenfranchisement of voters who only wished to perform their civic duty.

“Attacks on polling units, voters, and our party agents are totally antithetical to what we stand for & what Lagos truly represents.

“Collusion between the ruling party and electoral officials to return the candidate of the APC is a slap on the face of democracy and everyone who came out to vote for us on Saturday.

“In the light of this, I am convinced beyond any doubt that the results being released by INEC do not represent the wishes of majority of peaceful Lagosians.

“More so the results from our field agents and situation room indicated that we won this election.

“I am a champion of the people, we are far from done. Do not lose hope, do not waver.

“This is not over, we have not come this far to accept outright lies, criminality & falsehoods.

“A fight for FREEDOM is never easily won.

“Every vote cast for me was done in the face of intimidation and risk of personal harm. Every such vote must count. Defending every one of those votes is a sacred duty. I will defend your votes – this is my vow to every LP voter.”