Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, a two-time Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and former Lagos gubernatorial aspirant, has praised President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, calling his approach strategic, balanced, and history-minded. Obanikoro, known as Koro-Ibo, spoke extensively on Lagos politics, party dynamics, and national security, emphasizing the need for citizen participation in intelligence gathering to curb insecurity.
Reflecting on the role of the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, Obanikoro highlighted its function as a platform where experienced leaders offer guidance to prevent unnecessary crises. “Experience is the best teacher in anything we do. GAC has served Lagos well,” he said, addressing criticisms that the council operates as a rubber stamp.
On the 2023 election in Lagos, Obanikoro defended Tinubu’s administration against claims of religious imbalance, noting that fears around a Muslim-Muslim ticket were natural given historical precedents, but asserting that Tinubu has governed with fairness and inclusivity across religious and ethnic lines.
Discussing political defections, he explained that the appeal of the All Progressives Congress, APC, stems from the tangible positive impact of the current administration. “Everybody is trying to align themselves with our party because there is soing positive which President Tinubu is doing and which the people are seeing,” he said, emphasizing that the APC is focused on continuous relevance through governance delivery.
On national security, Obanikoro described Nigeria’s challenges as complex but surmountable. He noted internal sabotage and foreign interference as key factors in insecurity, stressing the need for sincere commitment to intelligence gathering and modern technology in combating terrorism and kidnappings. He praised President Tinubu’s courage and investment in security measures, asserting that sustained efforts would lead to ility.
Obanikoro also addressed economic management, noting that debt should be evaluated in terms of productive use, and commended the administration’s efforts to revive Nigeria’s economy. He emphasized that governance with an eye on history, as Tinubu demonstrates, is crucial for sustainable national progress.
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