- I Believed I Was More Experienced Than Fashola in 2007 – Obanikoro
- Explain Why He Once Called Fashola a ‘Toy Governor’
- Says Fashola Was Never a Politician Then
Former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, has explained the reason behind his controversial description of Babatunde Fashola as a “toy governor” during the build-up to the 2007 Lagos State governorship election.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Obanikoro had made the remark after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to challenge Fashola, whom he believed was a political “puppet” of Bola Tinubu at the time.
EDITOR’S PICK
- What Iya Teaches Africa About Single Motherhood
- SAN Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya Emerges New NBA President
- Tenant Docked for Alleged Structural Changes to Rented Flat in Lagos
Speaking on the Mic On Podcast, Obanikoro said his comments reflected his assessment of Fashola’s political experience at the time rather than any personal animosity.
“Fashola is my brother and we are both from Isale Eko and, to me, he was never a politician,” he said.
According to him, he believed he possessed greater political experience and exposure, having previously served as a local government chairman, commissioner and senator.
“So I felt that after serving as a local government chairman, as a commissioner, and in the Senate, I had more political maturity, exposure and experience to govern at that time,” Obanikoro said.
He added that Fashola had never contested an elective office before emerging as the governorship candidate.
“Don’t forget that was the first time he was going to come out and run for anything as far as government is concerned. He was Chief of Staff to Oga,” he added.
