A former Minister of Works, Mr. Adeseye Ogunlewe, says a former Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro, cannot emerge as the Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party because he (Obanikoro) is too controversial.
He, therefore, urged delegates to vote for the person that could deliver Lagos to the PDP.
Ogunlewe said this during an interview with our correspondent on Sunday.
Ogunlewe, who is supporting one of the party’s governorship aspirants, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, ahead of the primary which is set to hold on Monday (today), said Obanikoro was too controversial and the people of Lagos would only vote for someone with a clear track record.
He said, “In 2015, people will not vote for party but the candidate. That is our fear in the PDP. Perception is very important in politics. We must do what is expedient, what people will be happy about. Party will play a very little role in who will win the election.
“It is the candidate that will be able to convince the people and they must be able to appreciate the candidate. The time is too short and the aspirant will not have time to be answering questions about allegations.
“Questions like what happened in City Hall. What happened to the pilgrimage funds, what is your date of birth? Is it 1960 or 1954? Where is your school certificate? What is your proper name, is it Obanikoro or Onikoro? All those things we don’t have time to be answering them anymore and this was what we did in 2007 that took so much of our energy because Obanikoro is from the stable of the Alliance of Democracy.
“Nobody is saying the allegations are true but they are questions that are unanswered and a political party should not spend too much of its time answering questions that are already in possession of the opposition.”
While reacting to allegations by Obanikoro that there was a conspiracy against him (Obanikoro), by the party leadership ahead of the primary, Ogunlewe said, “On two occasions we invited all aspirants to appeal to them for cooperation since only one person can win. On the two occasions, he was invited but he did not show up. If there was a gang up against him, would he have been invited?”
However, Obanikoro said he was confident of winning the primary even though the party leaders were against him.
“As a matter of fact, I do not have business with Agbaje. As far as this election is concerned, I am contesting against Bode George and Senator Ogunlewe,” Obanikoro said.
Obanikoro said all he needed was a transparent, free and fair primary, expressing the confidence that he will win the primary.
He said as one who came from a humble background, “I know that all power comes from God.”
I personally will not vote for PDP if Musiliu Obanikoro emerges as the gubernatorial candidate of PDP and i am sure i am speaking the mind of so many people.
ReplyDeleteYou are speaking the mind of few corrupt PDP followers, let's not be deceived is just a matter of time before Jimi will be corrupted by PDP hawkers who's main go is not the welfare of the people but to keep on enriching their pocket. Jimi should go to another party then he can have my vote.
DeleteThis goes to all the PDP leaders from state to national level that former minister of defense Musiliu Obanikoro should be called to order and allow the man that will deliver PDP to lagos state emerge at the primary election today. Jimi Agbaje is the sole candidate that can deliver this race and it's a big threat to APC in lagos, lagosians are ready to vote at large for Jimi. I am appealing to PDP leadership to please call Obanikoro to order and let the battle of governorship race in lagos come to our great party PDP... Someone should please quote me right that if not for sentiment in PDP we have some credible candidate in PDP like the former lagos state publicity secretary of PDP in person of Chief Willy Akinlude a man who has shown credibility in politics, he pulled the highest number of vote back in the days in which such vote has not been seen in the Nigeria at that level of chairman election, his credibility still stands even the APC rivals respect this noble man with passion.. I advice the leadership of PDP to always pick people with credibility and records to clear seat for the party... Please kindly Obamikoro to order please!!! We are speaking the voice of lagosian as stated by Honorable Ogunlewe.. Thank you all
ReplyDeleteObanikoro pls let jimi agbaje be the governship candidate....you have done enough
ReplyDeleteYes I will prefer Jimi Agbaje too, many people want to support him i.e if PDP want to rule Lagos State again, let Obanikoro step down for now because we Lagostians need a change of government and party
ReplyDeleteObanikoro, Onikoro, Koro, or Okro - arrogance does not pay oo. Just relax let our party APC carry on.
ReplyDeleteI believed obanikoro should give Jimi a chance.Jimi Agbaje has better opportunity to wrestle power from APC.
ReplyDeleteWho is even voting for PDP? If Jimi is interested in governing Lagos lets him go to clean party not PDP.
ReplyDeleteWhether Jimi or not, peoples demonic party{pdp} can never win Lagos state.It will be a land slide for the preferred party- APC.
ReplyDelete