Ahead of the Lagos State All Progressives Congress, APC, primaries on Monday, Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has dropped a bombshell, saying his contestant, Babajide Sanwo-Olu is unfit to govern Lagos as he had been detained in the United States for spending fake dollars and had undergone mental rehabilitation at the Gbagada General Hospital.

Ambode also alleged that political thugs were being armed and recruited to disrupt the peace and tranquility that had been prevailing in Lagos under the guise of holding primary election.

Also, the governor said the Buhari-Osinbajo ticket was being jeopardised as the APC leaders wanted to choose an unpopular candidate (Sanwo-Olu) to hoist the banner of the party in next year’s election, saying the party might experience defeat.

Addressing a World Press Conference on Sunday at the State House, Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, Ambode attacked Sanwo-Olu, saying even though he would welcome competition, he would not allow the chances of the party in Lagos to fritter away.

“We will be jeopardising the Buhari-Osinbajo ticket if we allow another aspirant,” he said, adding that in the last three weeks, there had been lots of misrepresentations in the social media from the other opponent and that he never responded.

Ambode said Sanwo-Olu was not fit to take the position he was being prepared for, saying the party leadership knew the truth and had been deceived in supporting the aspiration of Sanwo-olu.

“This is the truth, there is no better candidate than myself, I have served the poor masses. You can go and check the records, this is somebody who has been arrested for spending fake American dollars in a night club in America and he was arrested for months.

“He doesn’t have the competency that I have to run the the State. The records are there in Gbagada General Hospital. This is someone who has gone through rehabilitation. I will not stand here on the mandate of Lagosians and allow someone to filter away that reputation. This is not about me, but our party,” he stated.

Ambode, however, said he had it on good authority that thugs were being recruited to destabilise Lagos on the guise of holding primary election, stressing that such threats would be dealt with.

“The last Three and half years have witnessed tremendous improvement in our security apparatus and a significant drop in the incidents of crime in our State. However, the current political situation has caused palpable tension and unnecessary fears among law abiding Lagosians. Security reports available to the State Government indicate that there is an ongoing recruitment and arming of political thugs to disrupt the tranquil atmosphere of Lagos State, in the guise of holding Primary Elections.

“As a responsible government that has invested so much in enhancing security of lives and property in the State to enable Lagosians pursue their lawful endeavours, we will not allow any disruptive elements to cause panic or wreak havoc that will affect the progressive strides which Lagosians are known for. This is more so that we have the assurances of our party leaders to conduct free and fair primary elections for aspirants into the various political offices,” he said.

Ambode said it had become imperative to put every stakeholder on notice, especially the Federal Government and security agencies, to take more than a passing interest in the development in this State that had hitherto been adjudged as the safest city in Africa.

He stated that the state government would do all within its powers in collaboration with relevant security agencies to protect citizens and insulate them from any condition that might breed insecurity or the breakdown of law and order in the State throughout the primaries campaign and election periods.

“While assuring all Lagosians to be calm and go about their normal businesses, criminal elements are hereby advised in their own interest, not to foment any trouble in the name of politics or under any guise, as the full wrath of the law will be brought to bear on any law breaker.

“Without being immodest, after three and half years of remarkable performance in bringing growth and development to our dear State, I have humbly expressed my intention to seek re-election in order to consolidate on the giant strides that we have recorded for our dear State and our great party, APC. This is why I once again seek the support of every party member in tomorrow’s primary election. We shall overcome,” he said.