Obanikoro says defection to APC is like ‘home coming’

A former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, has described his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a home coming.

He said this on Saturday while formally announcing his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

In his speech, ‘The Exigency of Time and the Dynamism of Politics’, the former PDP chieftain who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said “To me and to all my associates, it is a return to our natural habitat. This (APC) is my home. My political voyage started from this association and I am proud to have learnt under our great leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The late Chief Obafemi Awolowo is the greatest politician of all time and I make bold to say the greatest politician of our time is Tinubu”.

Obanikoro has joined the number of opposition politicians under investigation and prosecution by EFCC who have jumped to the ruling party in efforts to seemingly remove themselves from under the anti-graft agency’s searchlight.

Obanikoro, his wife, two sons and his daughter have all been guests of the EFCC and Department of State Security (DSS) at one time or another, over the last few months.

Read also: 2019: PDP with or without Atiku can’t beat APC —Okupe

The EFCC claims the family is involved in about N4.7 billion allegedly siphoned from the Office of the National Security Adviser.

The EFCC had also sealed a house belonging to Obanikoro’s two sons, Babajide and Gbolahan, on Banana Island.

Obanikoro’s wife, who was in the house at the time of a search, alleged that her rights were abused and had even sued the EFCC for N100m.

Sen Obanikoro who took off to the United States after the PDP lost the 2015 elections was picked up by the EFCC on his return to Nigeria about 15 months later.

He was also accused of being in charge and flying about N1.219 billion to Akure on a private plane during the build-up to the 2014 Ekiti State governorship election, which was won by Governor Ayodele Fayose.

Not known to have ever been formally with the APC after it’s merger of some political parties, Obanikoro said on Saturday in Lagos, that “At this stage of my life, it is important for me to return to my original base and be part of the giant strides being achieved in Lagos State which would not have been possible without the sagacity of the architect of our modern democracy – my indefatigable boss, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu,” Obanikoro said.

Speaking on why he joined the APC, he said, “I am already fulfilled. I have traversed the length and breadth of this country and I believe that Lagos stands tall among other states in Nigeria. Today, we are the fifth largest economy in Africa and Governor (Akinwunmi) Ambode is working assiduously to make Lagos the third largest economy and transit from a megacity to a smart city.

“I want to be part of this project. I’ve re-dedicated myself to the progress and prosperity of Lagos”, he stated.

 

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