Former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, says he believes he won the 2007 Lagos State governorship election but insists his ambition to become governor is now firmly behind him.
Speaking on the Mic On podcast hosted by Channels Television journalist Seun Okinbaloye and published on Sunday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain said, at 66, his focus has shifted from seeking elective office to mentoring the younger generation.
“It is completely off the table (referring to governorship ambition). I’m 66. At this age, we want to reflect more and do things that will properly help the coming generation,” he said.
Obanikoro stressed the importance of mentorship, arguing that the erosion of Nigeria’s family structure and value system has made it imperative for experienced leaders to guide younger Nigerians.
“Let me say this, particularly in Nigeria, there is a need for people to mentor the coming generation. The family structure has more or less collapsed.
“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,” he said.
Obanikoro contested the 2007 Lagos governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after leaving the Alliance for Democracy (AD), but was declared defeated by Babatunde Fashola of the Action Congress (AC).
During the interview, Okinbaloye remarked that many of Obanikoro’s supporters still believe he won the election.
The former minister said he shares that view.
“I also believe that we won that election, but you know Nigeria, it is what it is,” he said.
Asked whether he regretted confronting the political structure of former Lagos governor and President Bola Tinubu—under whom he had previously served as commissioner—Obanikoro said he had none.
“All I wanted to do was to achieve what I set my mind on. I wasn’t even thinking about whether I was fighting my own family—the Bola Tinubu political structure.
“I just felt I wanted to be governor because, at that time, I had so many ideas and plans in my mind,” he said.
