The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the just concluded governorship election in Lagos State, Mr Jimi Agbaje, has blamed his defeat on the suppression of votes in his strongholds.
Speaking with newsmen after the result of the governorship election was announced, Agbaje said the threat that followed the presidential election resulted in voter apathy in the state.
He said, “From the outset it was clear that the numbers were on our side and naturally, that was our comparable strength but the moment you had the numbers slashed, then we were at a disadvantage.
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“The strategy of the other side was to make sure that those numbers did not come out to vote and to that extent it has worked in their favour.”
The PDP candidate said many of his supporters were intimidated and even threatened with eviction and sack if the PDP won in their areas.
According to him, the people decided not to vote, rather than risk their lives and their livelihood.
“It is not good for our democracy when only about 20 per cent come out to vote. There was voter apathy because of the event that happened during the presidential election,” Agbaje added.
Agbaje added that voter apathy would continue as long as people believed that their votes would not count.
He, however, said he wouldn’t make comments yet on whether he will contest the results at the election tribunal.
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