Dr Obafemi Hamzat, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 Lagos State election, has appointed former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, as Director-General of his campaign organisation. The appointment was announced during an expanded meeting of the campaign council held in Lagos, marking a significant step in the build-up to the 2027 elections. Obanikoro’s appointment comes with strong backing from President Bola Tinubu, who reportedly endorsed him during a recent meeting with APC stakeholders and officials in the state.
President Tinubu expressed confidence in Obanikoro’s ability to lead the campaign, citing his deep experience in public service and proven track record in both elective and appointive roles. The president’s endorsement adds weight to the campaign’s credibility and signals a strategic alignment with key figures within the APC leadership. Obanikoro’s extensive background in governance and political leadership makes him a formidable choice to coordinate a high-stakes gubernatorial campaign in Nigeria’s most populous state.
Musiliu Obanikoro is a seasoned politician with decades of experience in Nigerian politics and public administration. He previously ran for the Lagos governorship on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), demonstrating his long-standing interest in state leadership. His career includes serving as Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture in 1999 during Tinubu’s tenure as governor, a role that established his reputation as a capable administrator.
Obanikoro later represented Lagos Central Senatorial District in the Senate after winning the 2003 election, serving one term before being appointed Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana in May 2008. His diplomatic role was followed by a return to federal cabinet service in 2013, when he became Minister of State for Defence. He later transitioned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he served as Minister of State, further expanding his influence in national policy and governance.
The appointment of Obanikoro to lead Hamzat’s campaign organisation underscores the APC’s commitment to leveraging experienced political figures to strengthen its electoral prospects in Lagos. His deep connections across political and administrative circles, combined with his familiarity with Lagos politics, position him as a strategic asset for the campaign. As the 2027 elections draw closer, Obanikoro’s leadership is expected to play a crucial role in mobilising support, managing campaign logistics, and shaping the party’s messaging.
With this move, Hamzat’s campaign signals its readiness to engage in a robust and well-organised electoral battle. The appointment also reflects the APC’s strategy to consolidate support across different political generations and factions within the party. As Lagos State prepares for its next gubernatorial election, the appointment of Musiliu Obanikoro as campaign director-general sets a clear tone for a campaign built on experience, credibility, and strategic planning.
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