Obanikoro Couldn’t Beat Them, Joins Them

If what his aides are saying is true, then before the end of today, Musiliu Obanikoro would have joined the ruling All People’s Congress (APC) party.

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After over 12 years in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Obanikoro is set to take a bold step in his political career and many people (including myself at first), are surprised about this move. But when you look deep into his political career, the highly intelligent and brilliant man who has a lot to offer, did not have a really successful outing in PDP.

The biggest position he ever attained was that of a Senator but then, he became senator under the Alliance For Democracy (AD) party.

Since he joined PDP, he had continued to lose election after election all against his former party mates. He was later compensated by President Umaru Yar'Adua when he was appointed as Nigerian High commissioner to Ghana in May 2008.

The only success he could record politically under PDP was that of his son when he won the Chairmanship position for Lagos Island. He too later lost out to an APC candidate in the last elections.

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So, after so much disappointments in PDP, it does make sense for him to leave the party. APC is where most of his former AD mates now reside, he should feel at home there.

Why was I surprised at first? Well, I had hung out with the man in his Ikoyi mansion before, and I was wowed by his intelligence. In our chat he highlighted his dreams for Lagos and how it would be beneficial for the state to align PDP when it was at the center.

I sure wish to still see the man play an active role in Nigeria’s polity.