I no longer have ambition to be Lagos State governor — Obanikoro

Former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, says he no longer has the ambition to become the governor of Lagos State, explaining that his focus has shifted to mentoring younger Nigerians.

Speaking on the Mic On Podcast hosted by Channels Television journalist Seun Okinbaloye, the 66-year-old politician said his governorship ambition is now “completely off the table,” adding that people of his generation should focus on guiding the younger generation.

Obanikoro urged young Nigerians to remain patient and focused, noting that they would eventually inherit the country and must be prepared for leadership.

The former Lagos Central senator contested the 2007 Lagos governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after leaving the Alliance for Democracy (AD), but lost to Babatunde Fashola of the then Action Congress (AC).

Despite the outcome, Obanikoro maintained that he believes he won the election, saying, “I also believe that we won that election, but Nigeria is what it is”.

He also said he has no regrets about challenging the political structure of former Lagos governor Bola Tinubu, explaining that his only goal at the time was to become governor.

Obanikoro, now a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was recently appointed Director-General of Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat’s governorship campaign ahead of the 2027 Lagos governorship election.