Many drinking spots in Epe, Lagos State were on Sunday thrown open to supporters and well-wishers of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress and Lagos State Governor-elect, Akinwunmi Ambode, who was declared winner of the state’s governorship election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission announced that Ambode secured 811,994 votes to beat his closest rival, Jimi Agbaje of the Peoples Democratic Party, who scored 659,788 votes.

Ambode is from Epe.

The News Agency of Nigeria correspondent in the town reports that residents trooped in their thousands into the streets jubilating over the victory of their son as soon as the announcement was made.

NAN also reports that youths in their hundreds rushed down to Ambode’s residence at Papa area to celebrate the victory only to discover that he had travelled to Lagos to await the announcement of the result.

However, those who thronged to the governor-elect’s residence did not come back empty-handed as they were entertained by musicians and given gifts such as hand towels, rice, sugar and cash.

A NAN correspondent also reports that some APC stalwarts in the area organised parties in their houses to celebrate the victory.

Some of the residents, who spoke with NAN, said that they believed the victory would bring some positive developments to the community.

Ibrahim Agbadanla, former councillor for Ward A3, said that over the years the community had suffered from lack of amenities and believed that Ambode’s victory would change the situation.

Agbadanla said Ambode, who he described as a true son of the community, knew what was lacking in the community and would do his best to ameliorate the situation.

Also speaking with NAN, Alao Magaji, a local politicia,n said the community had every reason to celebrate as it was the first time that one of their own had recorded such a significant achievement.