Governor Akinwunmi Ambode Peddled Rumours And Falsehoods Against Me- Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship
aspirant Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode
peddled rumours and falsehoods against him, ahead of today’s direct
primary.

He said the governor indulged in character assassination and
personality attack, instead of addressing the core issues germane
to governance and his re-election bid.

Sanwo-Olu reacted to what he described as the governor’s attack
on his person in a statement titled: ‘Time to respect the people of
Lagos State and the office of governor.”

He denied the allegations of spending fake dollars in the United
State and “rehabilitation” at the Gbagada General Hospital,
Lagos.

The former Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions
said if he becomes the governor, he will not insult people, adding
that he will be busy finding solutions to problems facing
Lagosians.

The statement reads: “Let it be heard by all that I hold the
people of Lagos State with great respect and affection. Their
welfare is my utmost concern and it is what drives my pursuit for
the governorship nomination of the APC. As such, I also hold the
office of governor of our state in high esteem. I shall never
consciously do anything that will undermine the dignity of the
office nor will I engage in personal attacks against the holder of
that officer.

“My pursuit of office will continue to be based upon issues that
matter to Lagosians and not on attacks against someone’s character,
even when he attacks mine. For anyone to engage in unwarranted
character attacks against me, reveals more about that person’s
character than it says about mine.

“Thus, I felt sad for Lagos as I watched the Press Conference by
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. Many things he said was beneath the
dignity of our people and the exalted office he now holds. Perhaps
the tension and anxiety of the moment got the better of him. If
given a chance at cooler reflection of what he said, I am sure he
would regret his descent into such low conduct. In this vein, I
forgive him and hope he regains his balance and proper comportment
no matter the outcome of tomorrow’s contest. After all, we are both
here to improve Lagos not to wrestle in its streets.

“However, I must clear up some inaccuracies in the governor’s
statement. His allegation of that I was arrested for spending fake
dollars at a night club in the United States was untrue. In fact,
the governor knows I travelled to the United States just last
month. I would not have been allowed to travel or even get a visa
if I had been involved in what the Governor falsely alleged.

“That the governor claimed I underwent some unidentified type of
“rehabilitation” at the Gbagada General Hospital was also shameless
and untrue. Promulgation of salacious rumour should not be part of
the job description of a governor. This is not the stuff of high
office. People should question whether it is ethically right for
the Governor to turn what should beconfidential medical information
about a citizen into a weapon of political warfare? But, for
avoidance of doubt, let it be stated that I never received any
treatment whatsoever at the Gbagada General Hospital.

“Today, instead of making a convincing defense of his
performance, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode sought to sow fear into the
hearts of Lagosians.

“But, Lagosians are an intelligent and brave people. They can
see through the smoke and the fog. I am here not to tear my
opponent down but to help build Lagos up. With me, you will hear
about progress on education, health, sanitation, proper tax levels,
economic development, infrastructure, jobs, public services and
other things that enhance the lives of people. I am a serious
person and this primary is a serious matter. I have not the time or
inclination to attack character when there are so many real issues
to address.

“We will continue to focus on the issues that matter in the
lives of the people of Lagos. Lagosians want an answer to the
sanitation crisis cast loss of jobs caused by Mr. Ambode’s
Visionscape misadventure. Our people will want to know why Mr.
Akinwunmi Ambode has not been able to build a single General
Hospital in the State when his immediate predecessor, Mr. Babatunde
Raji Fashola (SAN), built 11 General Hospitals. Lagosians are
waiting to hear what our solutions are. They want to know why
hundreds of competent civil servants got summarily dismissed and
how this has undermined public services.

“As a candidate for the party’s nomination and hopefully as your
next governor, my approach will not be to sling insults, but to
propose solutions to the problems of the day.”

Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship
aspirant Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode
peddled rumours and falsehoods against him, ahead of today’s direct
primary.

He said the governor indulged in character assassination and
personality attack, instead of addressing the core issues germane
to governance and his re-election bid.

Sanwo-Olu reacted to what he described as the governor’s attack
on his person in a statement titled: ‘Time to respect the people of
Lagos State and the office of governor.”

He denied the allegations of spending fake dollars in the United
State and “rehabilitation” at the Gbagada General Hospital,
Lagos.

The former Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions
said if he becomes the governor, he will not insult people, adding
that he will be busy finding solutions to problems facing
Lagosians.

The statement reads: “Let it be heard by all that I hold the
people of Lagos State with great respect and affection. Their
welfare is my utmost concern and it is what drives my pursuit for
the governorship nomination of the APC. As such, I also hold the
office of governor of our state in high esteem. I shall never
consciously do anything that will undermine the dignity of the
office nor will I engage in personal attacks against the holder of
that officer.

“My pursuit of office will continue to be based upon issues that
matter to Lagosians and not on attacks against someone’s character,
even when he attacks mine. For anyone to engage in unwarranted
character attacks against me, reveals more about that person’s
character than it says about mine.

“Thus, I felt sad for Lagos as I watched the Press Conference by
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. Many things he said was beneath the
dignity of our people and the exalted office he now holds. Perhaps
the tension and anxiety of the moment got the better of him. If
given a chance at cooler reflection of what he said, I am sure he
would regret his descent into such low conduct. In this vein, I
forgive him and hope he regains his balance and proper comportment
no matter the outcome of tomorrow’s contest. After all, we are both
here to improve Lagos not to wrestle in its streets.

“However, I must clear up some inaccuracies in the governor’s
statement. His allegation of that I was arrested for spending fake
dollars at a night club in the United States was untrue. In fact,
the governor knows I travelled to the United States just last
month. I would not have been allowed to travel or even get a visa
if I had been involved in what the Governor falsely alleged.

“That the governor claimed I underwent some unidentified type of
“rehabilitation” at the Gbagada General Hospital was also shameless
and untrue. Promulgation of salacious rumour should not be part of
the job description of a governor. This is not the stuff of high
office. People should question whether it is ethically right for
the Governor to turn what should beconfidential medical information
about a citizen into a weapon of political warfare? But, for
avoidance of doubt, let it be stated that I never received any
treatment whatsoever at the Gbagada General Hospital.

“Today, instead of making a convincing defense of his
performance, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode sought to sow fear into the
hearts of Lagosians.

“But, Lagosians are an intelligent and brave people. They can
see through the smoke and the fog. I am here not to tear my
opponent down but to help build Lagos up. With me, you will hear
about progress on education, health, sanitation, proper tax levels,
economic development, infrastructure, jobs, public services and
other things that enhance the lives of people. I am a serious
person and this primary is a serious matter. I have not the time or
inclination to attack character when there are so many real issues
to address.

“We will continue to focus on the issues that matter in the
lives of the people of Lagos. Lagosians want an answer to the
sanitation crisis cast loss of jobs caused by Mr. Ambode’s
Visionscape misadventure. Our people will want to know why Mr.
Akinwunmi Ambode has not been able to build a single General
Hospital in the State when his immediate predecessor, Mr. Babatunde
Raji Fashola (SAN), built 11 General Hospitals. Lagosians are
waiting to hear what our solutions are. They want to know why
hundreds of competent civil servants got summarily dismissed and
how this has undermined public services.

“As a candidate for the party’s nomination and hopefully as your
next governor, my approach will not be to sling insults, but to
propose solutions to the problems of the day.”