Former Minister of State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro has ruled out another attempt to govern Lagos, but insists he defeated Babatunde Fashola in the 2007 governorship election.
Obanikoro said his governorship ambition was now “completely off the table” during an appearance on Mic On Podcast, hosted by Channels Television journalist Seun Okinbaloye.
The 66-year-old politician said he now wanted to concentrate on mentoring young Nigerians rather than pursuing another political ambition.
“It is completely off the table,” Obanikoro said “I’m 66. At this age, we want to reflect more and do things that will properly help the coming generation.”
He expressed concern over Nigeria’s weakening family structure and value system, arguing that experienced political leaders should dedicate more time to preparing younger Nigerians for leadership.
“There is a need for people to mentor the coming generation. The family structure has more or less collapsed,” he said “Our value system is in reverse gear. When you review all of that, the best people like us can do is mentor more.
“Let the coming generation be calm and patient. Whether we like it or not, they stand to inherit Nigeria.
Obanikoro contested the 2007 Lagos governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party after defecting from the Alliance for Democracy.
He lost officially to Fashola, who contested under the Action Congress and was backed by the political structure of then-Lagos governor Bola Tinubu.
Asked about claims by his supporters that he won the election, Obanikoro said he shared that belief “I also believe that we won that election, but you know Nigeria—it is what it is,” he said.
The former Lagos Central senator also maintained that he had no regrets about challenging Tinubu’s political structure despite previously serving as a commissioner under his administration all I wanted to do was to achieve what I set my mind on,” Obanikoro said.
“I was not even thinking about whether I was fighting against my own family—the Bola Tinubu political structure I just felt I wanted to be governor because, at that time, I was full of so many things in my mind.”
