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Tag: Musiliu Obanikoro

  • Tinubu celebrates Obanikoro at 65

    Tinubu celebrates Obanikoro at 65

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended warm felicitations to prominent Lagos politician and former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, on his 65th birthday, praising his steadfast service to Lagos State and Nigeria.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday, Tinubu described Senator Obanikoro as an influential leader within the Lagos political landscape and a dependable stakeholder in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “Senator Obanikoro’s significant contributions to Lagos State, particularly during his tenure as Chairman of the Lagos Island Local Government and as Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture under my administration as governor, remain worthy of commendation,” the President said.

    Tinubu noted that Obanikoro’s service extended beyond state-level responsibilities, recalling his impactful roles as a Senator representing Lagos Central from 2003 to 2007 and later as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana.

    READ ALSO: SDP NWC expels El-Rufai for 30 years 

    Currently an apex leader in the Lagos APC and a member of the influential Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Obanikoro, fondly known as “Koro,” was celebrated by the President for his “commitment to Lagos development and his pivotal role within the state APC.”

    Tinubu urged the celebrator to continue dedicating his experience and influence to the unity and progress of Nigeria, praying for long life, renewed strength, and more fruitful years in service.

    Obanikoro remains one of the most recognisable figures in Lagos politics, with a career spanning local government administration, national legislature, diplomacy, and executive appointments.

  • Projects execution: Obanikoro commends Epe LG boss

    Projects execution: Obanikoro commends Epe LG boss

    A Member of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, and his team have commended the Chairman, Epe Local Government, Ms. Surah Animashaun over unbiased projects execution in the local government council.

    Obanikoro gave the commendation during a visit to the Executive Chairman of the Council, Ms. Animashaun, in an assessment tour of the council as part of the GAC oversight function to the local government council in the last three years.

    Read Also; Manchester United the only problem in my life – Adekunle Gold

    The apex body also commended the staff and management of the council for ensuring the effective execution of its intervention projects across the local government areas, which were spread across the riverine and highlands areas of the council without any political considerations.

    Aside from Obanikoro, former Permanent Secretary in Lagos State, Mr. Lekan Akodu; and Alhaji Ridwan Adisa Aleshinloye, were also on an assessment tour of the council on the project execution and reactions of the stakeholders within the council.

    Other stakeholders at the assessment tour were; traditional rulers, religious leaders, market women, students and political leaders, youth leaders, youth council, Olorituns, Baales, youths, men and women leaders, Igbo, Hausa communities, and non-indigenes were thumbed up for the Chairperson in making the council proud.

  • Valediction for Island Club chair

    It was an evening loaded with activities at the Island Club in Onikan, Lagos, when its Chairman, Olabanji Oladapo, bowed out in style.

    The party, which had guests clad in beautiful traditional attire was entitled “2019 Easter/New Members/Chairman’s Dance”.

    It featured awards to some distinguished members, induction of new members, dancing, eating, drinking and inauguration of gym, sauna and sickbay by a Trustee and Past Chairman of the Club, Chief Olumuyiwa Falomo.

    National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented by the former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, said the award would encourage people to do more.

    “To whom much is given, much is expected. The awards were given to those who have contributed in one way or the other to the development of the club. I commend the management of the club for this evening and for giving awards to those who deserve it. The club chairman has done well for the club and he has left a landmark achievement to his name; given the history of the club and the fact that it is the foremost social club in Lagos,” he said.

    According to Oladapo, the ‘Easter Dance’ was meant to welcome the Christian brothers after 40 days of fasting period.

    “This has given us the opportunity to experience what our Lord Jesus Christ went through while on earth over 2,000 years ago. It further increases our faith and gets us more committed to the plights of the poor and needy in our society as we are now better able to appreciate what it means to go on for days without food. It is also the period of abstinence from worldly pleasure,” he said.

    Oladapo further said new members inducted are eminent gentlemen who have distinguished themselves in their chosen careers and have been considered as fit and proper for the membership of the club. “We congratulate them as they join the comity of honoured men of substance.”

    He said: “Having completed my two-year term, I have no doubt I have enjoyed your support and co-operation and useful advice during my tenure as your chairman. It has been challenging and quite interesting in spite of some hiccups which were not unexpected considering the magnitude of the challenges at hand. I must also not fail to show my appreciation to you all for your overwhelming confidence in my leadership. I have worked with most vibrant, articulate, enterprising and committed members of the management committee.”

    He added that those accorded the club honours is because of their contributions to the success of his administration and to thank them for their outstanding services to the club.

  • Fayose: How I took delivery of N1.2b cash, by bank chief

    The Federal High Court in Lagos Monday heard how the N1.2billion allegedly given to former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose from the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) was moved to the state.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is trying Fayose for allegedly receiving and keeping N1.2billion and $5million allegedly stolen from the ONSA.

    Testifying before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, the 11th prosecution witness, Mr. Sunday Alade, said he was the  Akure Branch Manager of a new generation bank in 2014 when the money was moved to his branch.

    Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the witness said he got a call from his head of operations asking him to prepare to head for Akure Airport to receive cash from a customer.

    “On the 17th of June 2014, I was in my office in Akure. I received a call from my head of operations Abiodun Oshodi that a customer would be coming to make deposit into his account with the bank.

    “He said in order to provide security, we should arrange for a van bullion to go to the airport to pick the cash.

    “After an hour, my head of operations Abiodun Oshodi came and said the customer had arrived. He introduced Abiodun Agbele as the customer.

    “He said we should prepare to go to the airport. I asked for time to arrange for security, but they said that won’t be necessary as they had sufficient security.  They came with MOPOL and some soldiers in a Hilux van,” Alade said.

    The witness said he joined Oshodi and Agbele to the airport, along with the bullion van and the security men.

    Alade said: “At the airport, we waited for a few minutes before the arrival of the aircraft. Three individuals came out of the aircraft.

    Read Also: Obanikoro ends evidence against Fayose

    “Two of them walked away. The remaining person introduced himself as O. Adewale. The cash was offloaded into the bullion van and we drove to the bank,” Alade said.

    He said when they arrived at the bank; the money was counted in his presence.

    He said Oshodi, Adewale and Agbele were also present.

    “The money was counted in our presence. It was N724million. We were informed that there was a balance. We went back to the airport and picked N494million.

    “The total cash amounted to N1.219billion. Another aircraft brought the N494million.

    “I gathered that the cash was lodged in three bank accounts – those of De-Privateer, Spotless Investment and Ayodele Fayose.

    “I also understand some cash was taken away that day by Mr Agbele.”

    Asked who Adewale was, he said: “Adewale O. introduced himself as Obanikoro’s ADC (aide-de-camp).”

    Asked if he knew those who walked away from the aircraft after it landed, the witness said: “One of them resembled Obanikoro. I never met him in person. But he resembled the person I saw on television and newspapers.”

    Under cross examination by defence counsel Ola Olanipekun (SAN) and Olalekan Ojo (SAN) (for Spoless Ltd, Fayose’s co-accused), the witness said he did not know where the money came from.

    Asked if he knew what the money was meant for, he said: “Not at all.”

    The witness said it took 10 days to process the cash.

    In response to a question by Ojo as to whether he submitted a bulk cash register to EFCC on the transaction, the witness said “No.”

    Ojo showed the witness a statement of account belonging to Spotless Investment.

    He was asked to identify entries for October 6, 2014, September 5, 2014 and December 6, 2014.

    Alade said the entries showed the transfer of N11.173million each described as “mortgage repayment” and “mortgage loan liquidation”.

    He added: “But I didn’t know anything about the transactions.” Ojo said: “Don’t worry.”

    Before the trial began, Jacobs said he was involved in an accident and had to come to court in crutches.

    He asked the court to allow him take only one witness, but he did not disclose when or where he had the accident.

    He was seen wearing a heavy bandage brace on his right foot with no footwear on.

    There was also no indication that the case would be transferred to another judge.

    EFCC Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu reportedly wrote to the Chief Judge, asking that the case be withdrawn from Justice Olatoregun and re-assigned to another judge.

    Magu was said to have expressed lack of confidence in the judge.

    But no reference was made to the purported letter to the CJ by Magu.

    Fayose had pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned on an 11-count charge on October 22 last year.

    EFCC said he and Agbele, facing a different charge, allegedly took possession of N1, 219,000, 000 on June 17, 2014 to fund the former governor’s 2014 gubernatorial campaign.

    The commission said Fayose “reasonably ought to have known” that the money “formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing.”

    EFCC said Fayose, on the same day, received cash payment of $5million from former Minister of State for State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro, without going through a financial institution.

    The commission said the sum exceeded the amount authorised by law, thereby violating the Money Laundering Act.

    Justice Olatoregun adjourned until May 10 and 14 for continuation of trial.

  • A witness and evidence

    Former Minister of State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro’s answer to a question in court prompted other questions. Obanikoro, a witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the ongoing trial of former Ekiti State governor Ayo Fayose, can be described as a star witness.

    A March 20 report said: “Under cross-examination by counsel for Spotless Limited, Fayose’s co-accused, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN), Obanikoro said there was no documentary evidence to back up all he said in court. Ojo asked him: “Did you produce any evidence to back any of your assertions before this court?” Obanikoro answered: “No.” This happened at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    Fayose is on trial for allegedly receiving and keeping N1.2 billion and $5 million allegedly stolen from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), contrary to the Money Laundering Act.  Obanikoro had allegedly delivered the money to Fayose to fund the former governor’s 2014 governorship campaign.   The EFCC listed Obanikoro as one of 22 witnesses to testify in the trial.

    Before the trial, in 2016, while Obanikoro was being questioned by the EFCC in connection with the distribution of over N4billion taken from the ONSA, he was quoted as saying: “Out of N4.685billon transferred to Sylva McNamara Limited, N3.880billion was transferred to both Ayodele Fayose and Senator Omisore through cash and bank transfers. The dollars contents were handed over to Fayose personally by me in the presence of some party leaders and he collected it and took it to the room next to where we were all seated.”

    Fayose had pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned on an 11-count charge last October. Obanikoro’s testimony was supposed to show that Fayose is guilty. The question is: Can this happen without “documentary evidence?”

    The lawyer’s question, Obanikoro’s response, and Fayose’s claim that he isn’t guilty, present an interesting picture. It suggests that this is a matter of Obanikoro’s word against Fayose’s.

    Obanikoro’s admitted failure to produce any evidence to back any of his assertions before the court could be problematic. Of course, there are other EFCC witnesses in the trial. However, it remains to be seen how Obanikoro’s non-presentation of evidence may affect the final outcome of the trial.

    From the look of things, Obanikoro never expected a day when he would be expected to provide corruption-related evidence against Fayose in court. Their corrupt collaboration, which Obanikoro testified to, will haunt them.

  • Dasuki billions not illicit – Obanikoro

    A former Minister of State for defence Senator Musiliu Obanikoro on Tuesday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that the N4.6billion sent to him from the Office of the National Security (ONSA) in 2014 was not illicit fund.

    He said he was worried the huge sums he received from former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) “for security purposes” were described as illicit.

    Obanikoro, the fifth prosecution witness, spoke at the continuation of his cross-examination in the trial of former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose for money laundering.

    He said: “The NSA has the responsibility for coordination of security in the country.

    “He coordinates all the security agencies. Some of their operations are clandestine and are usually not documented.

    “It borders me as a person that clandestine operations of the NSA are described as illicit. It should worry every Nigerian. I am surprised that the current NSA can characterise the funds as illicit.

    “The local Joint Task Force on Boko Haram is still being funded by the NSA and the operation started under our watch,” Obanikoro, who served under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, said.

    The former minister was cross-examined by Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN), counsel for Fayose’s company and co-accused, Spotless Limited.

    The lawyer said: “I suggest to you that the funds from ONSA were not illicitly obtained.”

    Obanikoro responded: “To the best of my knowledge.”

    The former minister said he had been reporting at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) once a month since 2016.

    Asked why there was a two-year gap between two of his statements tendered in court, Obanikoro said: “They gave me administrative bail. One of the conditions is to report at the office once a month.

    “It was during one of such visitations on October 8 last year that I made the last statement after I made the one of October 19, 2016.

    “EFCC is investigating me based on a petition by the NSA that N4.6billion was sent to an account operated by me without proper documentation.

    “I’ve been reporting at EFCC monthly since 2016 and I have not been discharged from the administrative bail.

    “It is correct that I am being investigated for having been privy to illicit transfer of funds. The allegation has not been withdrawn.”

    Obanikoro said there was no contract between NSA and Taiwo Kareem who he said owned Sylvan Mcnamara Limited through which NSA transferred the funds.

    The former minister said he dealt with Diamond Bank, where the firm’s account was domiciled, on NSA’s behalf.

    “I gave instructions to Alex Otti (former Diamond Bank Managing Director) for the payment of N1.2billion.

    “The NSA never interacted with the bank. I gave verbal instructions to Diamond Bank.

    “I didn’t reduce it to writing because of the nature of the transactions. There was no written instruction for the release of N1.2billion.”

    Obanikoro said there was no written resolution by the board of Sylvan Mcnamara that he should operate the account.

    “The moment Sylvan Mcnamara decided to work with NSA for security purposes, it was agreed that I would supervise the account because of government funds in it. A verbal agreement was reached to that effect.

    “No, Fayose does not have any relationship with Sylvan Mcnamara,” he said in response to a question.

    Ojo then asked Obanikoro: “Are you aware that two of your children – Gbolahan Obanikoro and Babajide Obanikoro – were signatories to Sylvan Mcnamara’s account?”

    Obanikoro said: “Yes, they were signatories to the account prior to the operation in 2014. My children have relationships with the company. I also have a relationship with the company.”

    Ojo asked: “You had known Sylvan Mcnamara long before you recommended it to NSA?”

    Obanikoro replied: “Of course.”

    Ojo asked: “You recommended Sylvan Mcnamara because of your interest in the company?”

    Obanikoro replied: “That’s preposterous. I was in charge of security when I was Commissioner for Home Affairs in Lagos. I knew the owner of the company then as a skillful security operative.

    “When the opportunity came, I didn’t hesitate to recommend him to the NSA. The company account went through three phases of ownership.”

    Asked why there were no documentations for most of the transactions on the account, he said: “As a corporate citizen, the bank had a responsibility to support the activities of security operations by government institutions.

    Read Also: Obanikoro: no record of cash collected from Dasuki for Fayose

    “If you work in security operations, you will see worst things. And it’s all over the world, not only in Nigeria.”

    The former minister admitted that one of the directors of Sylvan Mcnamara, Ikenna Ezekwe, lived with him in his Parkview Estate, Ikoyi home for several years before he left.

    On how much was paid to the account in total, the witness said: “About 4.7billion was paid to Sylvan Mcnamara’s account from ONSA.”

    Fayose is on trial for allegedly receiving and keeping N1.2billion and $5million allegedly stolen from ONSA contrary to the Money Laundering Act.

    He had pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned on an 11-count charge last October 22.

    EFCC said Fayose and Biodun Agbele, who is facing a different charge, allegedly took possession of N1,219,000, 000 on June 17, 2014 to fund the former governor’s 2014 gubernatorial campaign.

    The commission said Fayose “reasonably ought to have known” that the money “formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing.”

    EFCC said Fayose, on the same day, received cash payment of $5million from Obanikoro, without going through a financial institution, the sum having exceeded the amount authorised by law.

    EFCC listed Obanikoro as one of 22 witnesses that will testify in the trial, which continues today.

  • Obanikoro: it’s painful testifying against Fayose

    A former Minister of State for defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, on Monday told the Federal High Court in Lagos it was tough accepting to testify against his friend, former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose.

    He spoke while testifying in Fayose’s trial for money laundering before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun.

    Under cross examination by defence counsel Olalekan Ojo (SAN), Obanikoro admitted he returned N200million to the Federal Government.

    He said it was part of funds received from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) during the 2014 Ekiti election.

    Read Also: My role in movement of $5m to Fayose, by Obanikoro

    On testifying against Fayose, he said: “I am trying to restrain myself saying things that will further damage my relationship with him.

    “It’s very painful for me to give evidence against him, no doubt about that.”

    Obanikoro admitted he led the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) team that was in Ekiti for Fayose’s victory.

  • My role in movement of $5m to Fayose, by Obanikoro

    A former Minister of State for Defence Senator Musiliu Obanikoro on Monday told the Federal High Court in Lagos the role he played in transferring $5million to former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose.

    He testified in Fayose’s trial before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Fayose and Abiodun Agbele, who is facing a different charge, with taking possession of N1, 219, 000, 000 on June 17, 2014 to fund the former governor’s 2014 gubernatorial campaign.

    The commission said Fayose “reasonably ought to have known” that the money “formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing.”

    EFCC said Fayose, on the same day, received cash payment of $5million from Obanikoro without going through a financial institution, the sum having exceeded the amount authorised by law.

    The alleged offence, EFCC said, contravenes Sections 1, 15 (2) (d and 16 (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 and punishable under Section 15 (3) and (4)..

    Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), Obanikoro, the fifth prosecution witness, said the money was paid to Fayose’s account from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in June 2014.

    According to the former minister, in June 2014 ahead of the Ekiti State governorship election, he received a call from Fayose asking if there was any “message” from the then National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

    Obanikoro said the NSA eventually confirmed to him that he had a “message” for the accused.

    The witness said Dasuki told him the money would be received in an account opened to manage Boko Haram insurgency under his watch as Minister of State for Defence.

    “The NSA told me that Fayose will call me as to how he will receive the money.

    “A total equivalent of $5million from the NSA imprest account was given to Fayose by the order of NSA,” Obanikoro said.

    The witness said Fayose introduced Biodun Agbele to him, explaining he would be the one to receive the money for him, which was done at the Akure Airport “because it was physical cash.”

    “I had earlier wanted to transfer the dollars so that the naira equivalent can be withdrawn in Ado Ekiti, which was the reason why I initially called Diamond Bank Managing Director but he replied that the bank did not have such capacity in Ado Ekiti for that huge amount of money,” Obanikoro said.

    The former minister said his late aide was in the meeting where Fayose acknowledged receipt of total naira equivalent of $5million at Spotless Hotel owned by Fayose.

    Jacobs then showed the witness Exhibit E to confirm if it was the account to which the funds were transferred and the witness replied: “Yes”.

    Obanikoro told the court that on June 13, 2014, and June 16, 2014, funds were posted into the account, adding that the funds were from the NSA’s imprest account.

    He said that he asked Fayose how he wanted the money sent and the former governor told him that some it should be paid in naira and others in dollars.

    According to the witness, the money was eventually brought in a bullion van to the private wing of the Ikeja Airport where Agbele, sent by Fayose, was on standby.

    He testified that after confirmation from the accused, the money was taken to Ado-Ekiti, following which he went to meet Fayose.

    Obanikoro said the transactions occurred “about three days to the election”.

    On the source of the money, the witness said: “The NSA is the only person that can ascertain the source of the money; it is from the imprest account of the NSA.”

    Obanikoro said that the account from which the money was transferred from was used for security purposes.

    Four witnesses had earlier testified last November 19. A banker Danmola Otuyena told the court that about three aircraft were used to fly N1.2billion from Lagos to Ekiti State for delivery to Fayose.

    Otuyena, who headed his bank’s Cash in Transit Services Unit when the transaction occurred, said he accompanied the bullion van that took the cash to airport.

    Zonal Heads, Southwest 1 and 2 of a new generation bank Lawrance Akande and Abiodun Oshodi, and the Head of Financial Operations of another new generation bank Olaitan Fajuyitan also testified.

    Akande testified that he was informed that money would be brought from the Akure airport to be paid into the accounts of Spotless Nigeria Limited (Fayose’s company and co-accused) and De Privateer Limited.

    Read Also: Fatima Obanikoro: Never give up on your dreams

    He said Fayose’s associate Abiodun Agbele called him in June 2014 saying he had a lodgment of N1.2billion to make.

    He said he also got a call from Fayose to that effect.

    Akande said he asked Oshodi to follow the transaction, adding that they had solicited for deposits from Fayose.

    “I had no reason to regard the funds as proceeds of crime. I didn’t observe any anomalies in the operation of the accounts,” he said under cross examination.

    Oshodi testified that he organised a bullion van that took the money from Akure airport to the bank for lodgment.

    “Biodun Agbele came with a security escort, including police and soldiers, and we went to the Akure airport with the branch manager and the bullion van.

    “We moved the bullion van close to the plane and then evacuated the cash. The former minister was there also.

    “Agbele supplied the accounts where the money would be lodged – De Privateer, Spotless and the personal account of Fayose,” he said.

    Justice Olatoregun adjourned until February 4, 5 and 6 for Obanikoro’s cross-examination.

  • Alleged N30.8bn fraud: Fayose pleads not guilty

    …remanded in EFCC custody

     

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arraigned immediate past Governor of Ekiti State Mr. Ayodele Fayose at the Federal High Court Lagos for alleged N6.9billion fraud.

    He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    His lawyer Mr Kanu Agabi (SAN), a former Attorney-General of the Federation, said he filed motion on notice for bail.

    He told the court that it had been served on prosecution.

    In response, the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, confirmed service of the bail application, but told the court that he required time to reply.

    Justice Mojisola Olatoregun consequently, adjourned the case until Wednesday for hearing of the bail application.

    Meanwhile, following a plea by defence counsel on the temporary remand of Fayose, the court ordered that he be remanded in custody of the EFCC pending bail.

    According to the charge, on June 17, 2014, Fayose and Abiodun Agbele were said to have taken possession of the sum of N1.2 billion, for purposes of funding his gubernatorial election campaign in Ekiti State, which sum they reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

    Fayose was alleged to have received a cash payment of the sum of $5million, (about N1.8 billion) from the then Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, without going through any financial institution and which sum exceeded the amount allowed by law.

    He was also alleged to have retained the sum of N300 million in his Zenith Bank account and took control of the aggregate sums of about N622 million which sum he ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

    Fayose was alleged to have procured De Privateer Ltd and Still Earth Ltd, to retain in their Zenith and FCMB accounts, the aggregate sums of N851 million which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

    Besides, the accused was alleged to have used the aggregate sums of about N1.6 billion to acquire properties in Lagos and Abuja, which sums he reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

    The accused was also alleged to have used the sum of N200 million, to acquire a property in Abuja, in the name of his elder sister Moji Oladeji, which sum he ought to know also forms crime proceeds.

    The offences contravenes the provisions of sections 15(1), 15 (2), 15 (3), 16(2)(b), 16 (d), and 18 (c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011

  • Lagos West: The battle for APC senatorial ticket

    Battle for the ticket of Lagos West Senatorial District has pitched two powerful All Progressives Congress chieftains, Senator Adeola Solomon and Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, amongst other aspirants, reports Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan

    AHEAD of the 2019 General Election, the struggle for the senatorial ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos West District of Lagos State is becoming more fierce with chieftains of the party divided over the ambition of a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro. The former Defence Minister, who recently returned to the APC, is seeking to displace the current Senator representing the district, Adeola Solomon.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has directed political parties to conclude all primary elections by October in readiness for the 2019 General Elections. Apart from Adeola and Obanikoro, a couple of other chieftains of the party have shown interest in the senatorial ticket. But observers of the politics of the area say it is a straight fight between the two Senators.

    Checks by The Nation revealed that Obanikoro’s decision to move over to Lagos West from his former base in the Central Senatorial District of the state, in pursuit of another stint at the National Assembly, may be creating tension among chieftains and members of the party in the area even as the political camps of the two gladiators intensify efforts to ensure that the ticket is eventually given to their principals.

    It would be recalled that before dumping the then Alliance for Democracy (AD) for the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Obanikoro, who earlier served as a commissioner in the cabinet of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented Lagos Central Senatorial District in the upper chamber of the National Assembly. He was also at a time the chairman of Lagos Island Local Government, also in Lagos Central.

    On his part, Senator Adeola had served two terms in the Lagos State House of Assembly before moving to the Federal House of Representatives in 2011. He got elected to the Senate in 2015 and is now seeking a second term in the upper chamber. However, before recently announcing his decision to return to the senate, the lawmaker who had never left his party was touted to be interested in the governorship ticket of the APC in Ogun State.

    But in a chat with our correspondent, he explained that what he did in Ogun State was merely to consult whether to throw his hat into the ring of the gubernatorial contest or not. “And at the various levels of the consultations, we take a break to review the outcomes. Though we were well received by the people of the state, I have taken a decision to return to the senate in 2019 as the representative of my people in Lagos West,” Adeola said.

    For Obanikoro, who insists he is originally from Lagos West and should be free to represent the people in the National Assembly, “government needs to invest more where our population is concentrated and there is no better place to jumpstart that kind of thinking, than Lagos West.” He added that Lagos, being a cosmopolitan state, and Lagos West being where the population is, the area deserves better representation.

    Clashes

    Of serious concern to political observers and party chieftains is the growing threat of likely clash between the supporters of the various gladiators as the race towards 2019 inches closer. Already, supporters of the aspirants had almost engaged themselves in physical combat last May during an endorsement programme, held for Governor Akinwunmi Ambode by the APC in Lagos West.

    While supporters of the former Minister had stormed the event with placards and other promotional materials to propagate his senatorial ambition, numerous party members had countered them with placards and banners with inscriptions like ‘Back to Sender’, ‘No to Cross Over’, ‘No vacancy in Lagos West’, ‘Eniyan Yayi Niwa’, among many other anti-Obanikoro inscriptions.

    Both Adeola and Obanikoro were at the rally. And so were other chieftains being reported to be interested in the race. The programme was delayed for a while as supporters of the two politicians battled for space and attention in their bid to promote the positions of their various political groups and principals. And as the situation became tense, state party leaders and other dignitaries at the event were said to have expressed serious concerns.

    One of the vice chairmen of the party in the state, who was at the event back then, recalled how the organisers tried to no avail to control the crowd as they struggled to ‘express their disapproval of one of the aspirants, who according to them, is not one of them.’ He said but for the intervention of prominent party leaders, the protesters would have taken over the entire programme.

    “Trouble started when Yayi entered the venue with his supporters and the crowd went into a frenzy to welcome him. It was as if no other aspirant had arrived before him. The supporters of Obanikoro, who were already at the venue, became angry and started singing and drumming to drown the voices of Adeola’s people. Before long, there were altercation which later degenerated into pushing and shoving.

    “It took the timely intervention of the police to save the day. I can also remember that the leader of the party in the district, Prince Rabiu Oluwa, commented on the protest of the people when he said the party is not unaware of the meanings of all their actions and that the leadership of the party saw what they had done and had taken note. There was no hiding the fact that something was amiss that day,” he said.

    Our source also added that it is not true that any of the aspirants challenging Senator Adeola has the backing of any party leader within or outside the state. “It is not true that any of our leaders are supporting anybody to challenge the incumbent. The party will provide a level playing field to ensure a free, fair and credible primary election that will produce the eventual candidate in the district,” he said.

    Mounting concerns

    Aside Adeola and Obanikoro, some other chieftains of the party are also said to be warming up to join the battle for the APC ticket in the senatorial district. Those reported to be weighing the options of contesting the ticket or not include Chief Demola Seriki, who is also former Defence Minister and Comrade Kayode Opeifa, former Commissioner for Transport under Babatunde Fashola.

    Also being touted to be interested in the race is Princess Adejoke Oorelope Adefulire, who was Fashola’s Deputy Governor. The growing number of interested chieftains of the party, as well as the mounting opposition to what some party leaders described as the ‘attempt to force outsiders from another senatorial district on us as a senator’, is heating up the political atmosphere by the day.

    While Obanikoro continues to flaunt the legitimacy of his ambition, more and more chieftains of the party in the district are vowing to oppose his desire to clinch the ticket of the ruling party. During the week, a group within the party, Alimosho APC Volunteers, held a protest rally aimed at sensitising the people of the district on the ‘need to stop the imposition of Senator Obanikoro on Lagos West.’

    Speaking at the Alimosho secretariat of the party, the Chairperson of the group, Alhaja Saidat Bakenne, who is also one of the market leaders in Egbeda area of the state, said the people of Alimosho will not agree to the ambition of Obanikoro who she said is an indigene of Lagos Island. She said it is against the spirit of fairness for him to be longing for something that is not rightfully his.

    “We have resolved that Obanikoro will not just come here and take what is ours. He is not one of us. We all know where he has been playing his politics. We are wise and we cannot be deceived. He should please go back to the central and represent them. We have more than enough capable hands here if we need a new senator. For now, there is no vacancy for anybody,” she said.

    The party chieftain begged party leaders to avoid any action that can cause confusion in the district. According to her, Lagos West is known for playing peaceful politics and that tradition of politics without violence should be encouraged. “But when you allow an outsider to barge into people’s area and threaten to take away their right because he has money or he has connection, you are encouraging crises,” she warned.

    Other speakers at the rally expressed fears that beyond the 2019 senatorial election, Obanikoro may be eying the governorship of the state come 2023 when the position is likely to be zoned to Lagos West. They urged the people of the area to join the campaign against the coming of the former commissioner from Lagos central to Lagos West Senatorial District before it is too late.

    “Whether the plan is for 2019 or 2023, we are poised to stop the unacceptable crossover from his known political base to our peaceful area. We are therefore urging our leaders to resist any attempt to force him on us. You will notice we are mostly women here. We also have children who will want to be senators and governors in future. We want to keep the space open for our own children too,” Bakenne added.

    But a supporter of the former Minister in the area, Comrade Taiwo Bajulaiye, a former council chairman of Nigerian Union of Teachers in the state, said those opposing Obanikoro must be told that it is within his right to contest anywhere in the state. “We know why they are protesting and we have told them it is within his right to seek the ticket of the party anywhere in the state,” he said.

    Endorsements

    And while the contest for the ticket continues, some of the aspirants have been bagging the endorsement of party officials and leaders across the district. For Senator Adeola, it has been a galore of endorsements. Recently, some prominent leaders of APC in Lagos West Senatorial District, as well as state and national officers of the party from the zone, announced him as their preferred candidate.

    Before then, all 185 Ward Chairmen of APC, all leaders of the 28 local government councils, all 28 party Chairmen of APC had separately endorsed Senator Adeola for second term, while urging other aspirants to step down for him. The party officials at the well-attended programme, said it is important for the district to allow Adeola to complete the good work he is doing at the National Assembly.

    At another event, tagged “The journey so far as Lagos West Senator,” organised to give a scorecard by the Senator at Radisson Blu, Ikeja, a motion for Senator Adeola’s endorsement was moved by Hotoyon Joseph Bamgbose, a chieftain of the party from Badagry, and supported by Bolaji Ariyo, the Chairman  of 28 Secretaries to Local Governments (SLG) in the state.

    Many party leaders, including Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson, South West Woman Leader of APC, spoke in favour of the motion. Nelson said that Senator Adeola has done well for women in Lagos State as he was instrumental to her many achievements as the party’s Women Leader for 15 years in the state. She described him as a reliable party chieftain and lawmaker.

    Other leaders present at the event are Chief Henry Ajomale, former State Chairman of APC in Lagos, Senator Ganiyu Solomon(GOS), Chief Sunny Ajose, Deputy Chairman , APC Lagos State, Chief Funsho Ologunde, Lagos West APC Senatorial Chairman, Dr. Wale Ahmed, APC State Secretary, Dr. Abayomi Finnih and Cardinal James Odumbakun, former Deputy Chairman  APC Lagos State.