An All Progressives Congress governorship aspirant in Lagos, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday said he was disappointed by what he called attacks on him by Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode earlier in the day.
Sanwo-Olu, a former Commissioner of Training and Establishments, expressed the view in a statement he issued in Lagos.
He was reacting to a press conference addressed by Ambode where he claimed he (Sanwo-Olu) was not fit to govern the state.
Ambode had claimed that his rival for the party primary on Monday had criminal records and had been rehabilitated for an unnamed issue.
He said the party’s elders had been misled into endorsing Sanwo-Olu to lead the state as he did not have what was required for the job.
Sanwo-Olu, in reply, said he had expected the campaigns ahead of the primary to be about issues and not attacks on personalities.
The aspirant said he held the office of the governor in high esteem and would not do anything to undermine it or launch attacks on the holder of the office.
The aspirant, however, said the claims by Ambode that he was rehabilitated in a hospital and that he was arrested for possessing fake dollars in America were false.
He said the governor should rather have explained why he has failed residents instead of attacking, saying his aspiration to seek the number one seat was out of the passion to serve.
“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 office.
” 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 were beneath the dignity of our people and the exalted office he now holds,” he said.
The aspirant said perhaps the tension and anxiety of the moment got the better of the Governor.
“If given a chance at the 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,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He said that he must, however, clear up some inaccuracies in the Governor’s statement.
“His allegation that I was arrested for spending fake dollars at a nightclub 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.
