Obanikoro Sues for Success of Boko Haram Peace Deal; Declares Governorship Ambition
The immediate past Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, has declared his interest in the governorship position in Lagos State.
Obanikoro, who resigned from his ministerial post so as to be fully involved in the gubernatorial race, declared his intention while fulfilling his sendforth duties.
Obaniokoro thanked President Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Defence, General Aliyu Gusau and the staff of the ministry for their support while he was in office and said he hoped the proposed ceasefire deal between the Federal Government and the Boko Haram sect would succeed.
“We came in at a very difficult time for the country and I thank God we have been able to strongly put in hard work to ensure that value is added to what we met on the ground, and some of the successes that we have seen in terms of stability in the country is part of the contribution that we have also made as part of the ministry of defence family.
“Funding will always be a challenge, the commitment and the effort we have put in so far with Mr. President at the helm of affairs; we are making progress.
“From a nation of anything goes to a nation where we are bringing about stability. We have conquered the issue of militancy in the Niger/Delta; the Boko Haram issue will also be a thing of the past. I’m excited; things like this don’t come easy, a lot of sleepless nights have gone into it. We must salute Mr. President for the courage and the conviction that we must have peace than to have war.”
While declaring his political ambitions, he said: “Lagos is under bondage and for the liberation of Lagos; I want to liken it to General Gowon’s phrase that it is a task that must be done.
“As a native Lagosian, I am committed to the liberation of Lagos. Commercialisation of Lagos as a way of governance is something we must put an end to.”
