Prior to the Ekiti election, Obanikoro had been fingered in the crisis that followed a bye-election in Ilaje/Ese-Odo area of Ondo State. Though Akin Orebiyi, the Ondo Resident Electoral Commissioner, later denied making such comment, he had accused Obanikoro of causing the election to remain inconclusive. At a meeting he had with stakeholders in the state, Orebiyi said Obanikoro had soiled his hands with the bye-election.

Orebiyi, who accused politicians of being responsible for the crisis which took place during the election, said that election did not take place in about 59 units, with over 28,000 registered voters. “We are aware of how Obanikoro even soiled his hands obstructing the electoral process. You can quote me anywhere. You can quote me anywhere,” Orebiyi was reported to have alleged. And when PDP members at the meeting protested the allegation, the REC said: “One of our officers was almost lynched by the people because they mistook him for Obanikoro. We know what happened and you can quote me anywhere. Let the Minister of State for Defence defend himself, let him defend himself.”

This allegation threw up a lot of condemnation. The Coalition of Oodua Self Determination Groups, COSEG, asked Jonathan to caution Obanikoro and Adesiyan. A statement, signed by the chairman of the group, Mr. Ifedayo Ogunlana and the Secretary, Mr. Rasaq Olokooba, said: “We, as an organisation, have noted with regrets Obanikoro’s recent actions in Lagos and most recently at the inconclusive Ilaje/Ese Odo bye-election. We are of the opinion that with Obanikoro’s meddling with electoral matters using his office as the Minister of State for Defence, Nigeria may be in for another season of inconclusive elections.”

Continuing, the group said: “It was widely reported how the Minister of State for Defence allegedly turned a vandal, usurper and mastermind of the crises that dogged the Ondo electoral processes and has been fingered by the Ondo State Independent National Electoral Commission for the inconclusive elections.” This followed a commendation of Orebiyi for having the nerve to make such allegation.

Back in Lagos, there is fear that Obanikoro’s ambition for 2015 would further tear the PDP in the state apart. This is considering the number and calibre of people in the race. Apart from some former aspirants in previous elections under the flagship of the party, Jimi Agbaje, a new entrant in the race, may have started his campaign through text messages to residents of the state. Political analysts believe that, apart from slugging it out with other contenders in the party, Obanikoro also has a major obstacle in Bode George, another leader of the party.

In the main, Obanikoro has not shown any sign of being scared. “I am a grassroots politician,” he said sometime ago. “I have supporters and I understand the language of grassroots better than most of these elitist politicians bandying around with nothing to offer. They believe we didn’t go to school because we identify more with the commoners and they identify more with the elite. I won’t stand here and tell you that the recent array of activities and awareness in Lagos PDP is about my interest in running for the governorship of Lagos State. If I decide to run, the media will be the first port of call and I will tell you that I want to offer myself again for the office of the governor of Lagos State. So, don’t equate banners with posters.”