By John Ikani
A former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, has lost the All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos West Senatorial primaries ticket.
Senator Obanikoro, popularly known as Koro served as Senator for Lagos State from 2003–2007, and was later appointed High Commissioner to Ghana.
He later served as Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence in 2014.
Mr Obanikoro went on to join the APC in 2017, defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party.
The Ex-Minister lost to Idiat Adebule, a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State.
Obanikoro’s loss came 24 hours after Babajide, his son, lost his re-election ticket to the House of Representatives.
The younger brother of Oba Saheed Elegushi identified as Oyekanmi Elegushi defeated Obanikoro’s son in the APC Primary for Eti-Osa Federal Constituency by two votes.
Mrs Adebule defeated Mr Obanikoro with 424 votes as against 119 and third aspirant, Kayode Opeifa, who polled four votes.
A former Commissioner for Transportation in the state, Mr. Kayode Opeifa came a distant third with four Votes
Emeka Okafor, APC Electoral Returning Officer who announced the result, said Mrs Adebule scored 424 votes to emerge the Lagos West APC Senatorial candidate for the 2023 general elections.
“We have 557 total votes cast, with 10 invalid votes. I hereby declare Dr Idiat Adebule winner of APC Lagos West Senatorial Primary election,” he said.
Mrs Adebule in her acceptance speech thanked the party leaders and delegates for their support toward her victory.
The former deputy governor urged the electorate to give their full support to the party in the 2023 general elections, and assured the constituents of proper and good representation at the National Assembly.
Mr Obanikoro, however, walked out from the election venue before the end of the counting exercise and declined comments.
