Former Minister of State for Defence and ex-Lagos Central senator, Musiliu Obanikoro, has said he still believes he won the 2007 Lagos State governorship election, despite the official results declaring former governor Babatunde Fashola of the then Action Congress (AC) as the winner.
Obanikoro made the remark during a recent interview in which he reflected on his political career and his long-running rivalry with President Bola Tinubu in Lagos politics. He, however, stressed that he no longer harbours any ambition to become governor of Lagos State, describing that chapter of his political life as closed.
According to the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, he remains convinced that he secured the mandate in the 2007 election but accepted the outcome and moved on with his political career.
Also read:Obanikoro rules out Lagos governorship ambition
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Fashola the winner of the April 14, 2007 governorship election after he polled 599,300 votes, while Obanikoro finished second with 383,956 votes. The election, like several contests during Nigeria’s 2007 general elections, attracted criticism from domestic and international observers over alleged irregularities.
Speaking on his current political aspirations, Obanikoro said he has no intention of contesting for the governorship again, adding that his focus is now on contributing to governance and supporting the next generation of leaders.
The former minister recently stated that public service remains a lifelong commitment for him, noting that experience should continue to be deployed in advancing governance rather than being set aside after leaving office. He currently serves in a senior role within the Lagos APC campaign structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Obanikoro has held several public offices, including Chairman of Lagos Island Local Government, Commissioner in Lagos State, Senator representing Lagos Central, Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, and Minister of State for Defence. After leaving the PDP in 2017, he joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he has remained active in party affairs.
