Obanikoro says he believes he won 2007 Lagos governorship election

A former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, believes he won the 2007 Lagos State governorship election. He also said his dream of becoming governor is finished.

Obanikoro shared his thoughts during an interview on the Mic On podcast with Channels Television journalist, Seun Okinbaloye. The interview was posted online on Sunday.

The All Progressive Congress member said that at 66 years old, he now focuses on mentoring younger people instead of running for office.

“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.

He highlighted the need for older Nigerians to guide the youth. He believes that Nigeria's family and value systems are getting worse, making mentorship even more necessary.

“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 added.

Obanikoro ran for governor in 2007 under the Peoples Democratic Party after leaving the Alliance for Democracy. He was declared the loser to Babatunde Fashola of the Action Congress.

During the interview, Okinbaloye mentioned that many of Obanikoro’s supporters believe he won the election. In response, the former minister agreed.

“I also believe that we won that election, but you know Nigeria, it is what it is,” Obanikoro said.

When asked if he regretted challenging the political structure of former Lagos governor and current President Bola Tinubu, whom he served under as a commissioner, Obanikoro said he had no regrets.

“All I wanted to do was to achieve what I set my mind on. I was not even thinking about whether I’m 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,” he explained.

PUNCH Online reports that Obanikoro was recently named the Director-General of the Obafemi Hamzat governorship campaign for the 2027 Lagos governorship election.