Former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and Senator Solomon Adeola, are currently locking horns over the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) senatorial ticket for the Lagos West senatorial district. Obanikoro joined the APC in 2017 from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is seeking to displace the incumbent, Adeola, who is the senator currently representing the district in the red chamber.
The former High Commissioner to Ghana represented Lagos Central on the platform of Alliance for Democracy between 2003 and 2007. Obanikoro and Adeola are members of the APC and they are also in the camp of the National Leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu. New Telegraph gathered that Obanikoro was supposed to formally declare his ambition in Ikeja two weeks ago but suddenly suspended it on the instruction of Tinubu. A source privy to the development said, “Koro was about to declare his senatorial ambition last two Fridays ago at Ikeja but it was abruptly put hold on the directive of Asiwaju.
Everything was ready for the declaration but he can't go against Asiwaju’s instruction, that is the father of all.” Adeola formally declared his bid for a second term a few weeks back at an APC Lagos West meeting and his aspiration was endorsed by leaders of the party including the leader of the district, Prince Rabiu Oluwa. Adeola had initially embarked on a botched attempt to contest the Ogun governorship poll but retreated upon ‘directives’ from leaders of the party especially Tinubu.
The Senate Committee chairman on Local Content, however, described his expedition to Ogun State as a mere political consultation, adding that he was still committed to his constituentsdespite the consultations. According to some supporters of Obanikoro, the former Minister deserves to return to Senate owing to his pedigree and grassroots in the state, and they argued that their principal was promised something before defecting to the ruling party. New Telegraph, however, gathered that Obanikoro’s aspiration has ruffled the party in the state, especially in Lagos West as the leadership appears divided on the ticket.
“Obanikoro is bent on taking the ticket and this is affecting the peace of Lagos West. He was in Osogbo some days back to see Governor Rauf Aregbesola. You know Asiwaju is quite busy lately with national politics,” an associate of Obanikoro said. Reacting to insinuations that he was using his senatorial bid as a launch pad for the 2023 governorship bid in the state, Obanikoro said in a recent interview that: “Nobody knows what tomorrow will hold. And to now jump to 2023, I think it is taking it too far.
As far as I am concerned, I will enjoy the moment, representing the good people of Lagos State from Lagos West.” However, a loyalist of Adeola alleged that Obanikoro’s audacity in moving from Lagos Central district to Lagos West has external backings, adding that the leaders of the party have been seeking audience with Asiwaju to resolve the matter once and for all, adding that, “Negotiations are on and we are looking at the possibility of involving Obanikoro’s son in the House of Representatives ticket, but its still a proposal,” he said.
It was learnt that the leaders of the district, many of whom are of the opinion that the peace in the district was ruptured by the Minister’s ambition, have also called both aspirants to order against the likely clashes of their supporters as experienced last May during an endorsement programme, held for Governor Akinwunmi Ambode by the APC in Lagos West. At the event, supporters of both politicians bombarded the event with placards with inscriptions such as: ‘Obanikoro for 2019 Senate,’ while Adeola’s loyalists countered with slogans like “No vacancy in Lagos West.’
“The tension is high in Alimosho and Lagos West because it's now a two-horse race fight between the duo for the ticket. Supporters of both aspirants are on a knife edge because they are all awaiting the final verdict of the National Leader. Even other aspirants in the race have tactically chickened out,” a party official said.
NewTelegraph
Comments
Post a Comment