Adebule, Obanikoro lock horns over APC Lagos West Senatorial ticket

The race for the ticket of the Lagos West Senatorial District of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has taken a new twist with the entrance of former deputy governor of the state and member of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), Dr Idiat Adebule into the fray.

Adebule and former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro are in battle of wits to win over delegate ahead of the primaries.

WesternPost reports that the Senatorial primaries would be held on Friday, May 28th 2022 at Agege Stadium.

Adebule, since her entry into the race few days ago, had been meeting with major stakeholders in the senatorial district and holding strategic meeting to sell her agenda for the district if elected.

The former deputy governor whose aspiration changed the political calculations and temperature of the senatorial district recently was endorsed by the 28 council chairmen existing in the senatorial district.

Speaking at one of the strategic meetings held recently in Radisson Blu, Ikeja, Adebule thanked the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, saying that the mission to become the next Senator for Lagos-West is a project that must be accomplished collectively with grassroots political leaders.

Adebule said: “The council chairmen are the custodian of grassroots politics, and it is through you we can make this project a success across communities in your respective domain.

“I will enhance various developmental strides in the Lagos-West district if given the slots to represent the party, APC at the red chamber.”

At the strategic meeting, the chairman of Odi-Olowo Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area, Razak Ajala said the conference of council chairmen in the 28 LGs and LCDAs would ensure the emergence of Adebule as the Senator and flagbearer for APC.

He applauded Adebule, noting that her plans are progressive for a better and developed Lagos-West.

On the aspect of girl child development, Razak Ajala suggested that the potential Senator should also include development of the boy child in her administrative plans at the red chamber.

On his part, Ganiyu Egunjobi, Chairman of Agege Local Government and Chairman of all council Chairmen in Lagos West, assured Adebule of the full support of the council chairmen in clinching the ticket.

Meanwhile, Obanikoro who had begun his consultation for months, enjoyed the backing of the traditional rulers in the district. To show that they gave nod to his aspiration, the royal fathers unanimously endorsed the former minister at the palace of Onigando of Igando kingdom.

Like his rival, Obanikoro held a consultative meeting with all elected councillors in the distics.

The Councilors under the aegis of the Lagos West Councilors Forum described the meeting as a recognition and an honour done on them by Senator Obanikoro.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the Forum Chairman, Hon. Aliu Olohuntoyin, stated that Obanikoro is the only aspirant who had honoured the Councilors by recognizing and calling on their support towards achieving his senatorial ambition.

Olohuntoyin said that the Councilors were willing and ready to support Senator Obanikoro’s ambition, adding that he is a politician whose political heights many of them aspire to attain.

Obanikoro, however, described the Councillors as the closest political leaders to the people.

He stated further that the role of Councilors in nation building should not be underestimated, adding that there should be a clarity of functions among the three tiers of government at all levels.

Few weeks ago, the Senatorial ambition of Obanikoro got a boost when Coordinators of the campaign group of the current Senator of the district, Senator Olamilekan Adeola across all 28 local governments threw their weight behind Obanikoro and adopted him as their aspirant.

The group, which was led by the Director-General of YAYI Campaign Organization, Raji Label, described Obanikoro as a credible, competent, compassionate and experienced candidate who would take Lagos West and by extension, Lagos State to higher heights.

The two term Minister, in his reaction, described Senator Adeola as a passionate politician who he admires and cherishes.

He stated further that, he shares the same belief with the Senator on the need to ensure the growth and development of the people.

Although, the failure of President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the amended section of the Electoral Act had systematically put the Council Chairmen and Councillors at a disadvantage position to vote as delegates at the Senatorial primaries but it is obvious that they could have significant influence over the voting behaviour of the adhoc delegates at the primaries.

Also, Adebule’s membership of the GAC would put her in a vintage position to win the ticket as the body has significant influence over the elected delegates that formed the electoral college.

As the primaries get nearer, both Adebule and Obanikoro intensified their consultations and meeting with not only elected delegates but also political leaders that could swing votes in their favour.