Barring any last minute change of mind, former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, will withdraw from the race for Lagos West senatorial seat on the platform of the APC.
New Telegraph gathered from multiple sources within the party that Obanikoro, who recently declared his interest to run for the seat in 2019, has been told to withdraw from the race to pave way for the incumbent, Senator Solomon Adeola to return for a second term.
It was learnt that the appeal was made to him by APC leaders in the state, including Tinubu. “Obanikoro has been told to withdraw from the senatorial race to pave way for Senator Solomon Adeola to be re-elected.
Adeola was told to withdraw from his gubernatorial ambition in Ogun State and return to Lagos based on President Buhari’s advice to prevent any crisis between Tinubu and Governor Ibikunle Amosun. “So, with that agreement, Adeola is going to return to the Senate and that is why they told Obanikoro few days ago to withdraw from the senatorial race.
Obanikoro has a lot of respect for Tinubu and because of that he may not take part in the APC senatorial primary election,” one of the sources said. Another APC chieftain told New Telegraph that “Obanikoro is not going to run again.
He has been told to withdraw from the senatorial race and that is why he has reduced his campaign. You are not going to see him campaign publicly again because Tinubu has already told him to withdraw from the race. He was told point blank few days ago to withdraw from the race and I believe he is going to do so”
