*Ex-minister of state for defence get a boost from 2 apirants

Jamiu Yisa
Two Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship aspirants in the 2015 general election, Ade Dosunmu and Adetokunbo Pearse, have dumped their aspirations to support the candidacy of former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro for the party’s ticket in the forthcoming elections.

Dosunmu was the party’s candidate in the 2011 general election while Pearse is a serial contestant for the Alausa seat of power.

Obanikoro said Pearse and Dosunmu decided to join forces with him in order to liberate Lagos from the schackles of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking during an interview, Pearse said his desire to team up with former Minister of State for Defence was borne out of Obanikoro’s passionate bid to win the state for the party.

The University of Lagos Don, said Chief Olabode George and Adeseye Ogunlewe are not desperate to win the state for the party, adding that this explains the reason they are backing Jimi Agbaje, a candidate who according to him, is not a true member of the party.

“I am supporting Obanikoro because I want to keep PDP afloat as a party even after the primary. In 2007, when we suspected that Obanikoro was imposed, the party collapsed totally. Both leaders and members left the party to go to ACN. I don’t want that to happen this time”.

“The way our leaders are going about, supporting one aspirant and telling Obanikoro not to run and trying to force him into extinction is tantamount to imposition of Jimi Agbaje. And if you impose Agbaje on the party, it will collapse. I am trying to play the role of an elder statesman”.

“Presently, there is no campaign for the president in Lagos and PDP is not on ground in the state. This is because most of our leaders are not serious about winning the election. Only Obanikoro is determined, committed to winning this election. That is why I am with him”.

“Bode George and Ogunlewe are not running for anything. So, they are not desperate, they are not determined. The person they are supporting is not even a real member of PDP. Therefore as far as I am concerned, the man is not serious about winning” he said.

Meanwhile, the former Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana is set to officially declare his aspiration for the Lagos State governorship election on Thursday, November 27 in Lagos.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media Strategy, Ohimai Amaize, “Senator Obanikoro is ready to unveil his plans of a Greater Lagos for the people of Lagos State, come November 27.”

Musiliu Obanikoro: declares Thursday

“Senator Obanikoro has answered the call of his people to rescue Lagos State from political and economic bondage and we are very confident that based on his overwhelming goodwill among the people of Lagos, especially the downtrodden masses, as well as his impeccable record in public service, he is the best prepared for the job,” the statement said.

The declaration event themed “Walk with Me” will be attended by Senator Obanikoro’s friends, political supporters and special guests from all over the world.

Senator Obanikoro resigned his appointment as Minister of State for Defence on Monday, October 20, 2014 to pursue his vision of a new Lagos State, under a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elected government, come February 2015.