Inside Musiliu Obanikoro’s Troubled Ministerial Re Appointment Ambition

…all the details

It is an open secret, former minister of state for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro is eyeing re appointment.

Re election seeking President Goodluck Jonathan as nominated him for confirmation by the National Assembly.

This development came on the heels of withdrawal of court case challenging the emergence of Jimi Agbaje as the Lagos state Peoples Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate.

Agbaje piped Obanikoro to the slot on the strength of the political clout and machination of the fellow party chieftain against his ambition, Bode George.

Musiliu Obanikoro

Obanikoro and Bode George, though in the same People’s Democratic Party have deep and long running political conflicts on direction of the party’s politics – especially in their base, Lagos state.

After he withdrew his court case against his party and the emerged flagbearer based on understanding he would be re appointed as Minister in exchange for supporting Agbaje, sources claimed it appeared all angst and acrimony that was part of the build up to the development was done and rested with- but recent happenstances point otherwise.

The ministerial re appointment ambition of the man who resigned his post to vie for one of his party’s gubernatorial flags is currently buffeted with growing opposition.

And according to findings ‘those against him are within and outside his party’

Informants disclosed though opposition party very keen to see him into political oblivion, All Progressives Congress have come out publicly to campaign against him and currently rallying members within the national assembly to block the confirmation of his nomination is main problem lies within his party.

According to an insider ‘despite the talks of truce he still has issues with two major players within his party, Ogunlewe and Bode George and their loyalists….returning Obanikoro to position of power and influence along with the inherent political benefits is against their play, so what would you expect from them?’.

Both Adeseye Ogulewe and Bode George worked hand in glove to swing the Lagos state gubernatorial ticket the way Jimi Agbaje.

Insiders revealed these individuals and others with hidden feud with the former minister are working under the cover of increasing agitation against Mr Obanikoro by the APC and their sympathisers to scuttle his re election bid.

‘those against him are not saying he should not be giving appointment, they are canvassing for a position with lesser clout and influence for him’ another source claimed.

Findings revealed the move is being carried on, on the theme of getting political gains and points for the President’s re election bid by not playing into the hands of the APC by re appointing Obanikoro.

Amongst other things , APC has hit town with allegations the President is promoting corruption and impunity by allowing himself to be arm twisted into re appointing the former minister.

The former Minister is believed to have negotiated his re appointment with agreement to not to disrupt the party chances at the poll.

Further digs revealed Mr Obanikoro has taken the challenge of opposition against his re appointment headlong, calling in favours within the national assembly and currently engaged in underground political manoeuvres and horse trading to surmount growing hurdles against his reappointment ambition.

Those in the know further revealed so far he stands he chance, with the President yet to be convinced pulling out of agreement with the former minister would not have devastating political implications.