How Akiolu reconciled Bola Tinubu and I - Former Minister of state for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro


In this interview with Punch, a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, speaks about his reconciliation with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu .

What led to your reconciliation with Tinubu?My reconciliation with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu did not just happen overnight. I want to thank the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, and my personal friend, Kashim Imam, for the reconciliation. The reconciliation was not meant to serve political interest but rather a personal and Lagos interest. Asiwaju and I belong to one family. .
If something untoward happens to a member of the family, we must see it as something that has happened to all of us. My relationship with Asiwaju prior to my defection to the Peoples Democratic Party, many years ago, was very cordial. I have also been close to kabiyesi (Oba Akiolu) to the extent that he got me enrolled in the Nigeria Police Force, when he was still an officer.

 I didn’t take the offer because as a young man then, I didn’t like the setup in the police. That was why I ran away. But I had already been enlisted as a cadet of the Nigeria Police Force from Lagos State. Oba Akiolu was shocked when he learnt that I didn’t take the offer. At a point, he started looking for me. He was really upset when he was told that I had returned to the United States. .

He wondered why I “wasted” the slot of Lagos State just like that. I share this incident to show you the extent of my closeness to kabiyesi. The issue did not, however, affect our relationship even up till today. So, he ensured the successful reconciliation.  As a Yoruba man, I believe that when an elder intervenes on your behalf with another elder, that should be the end of the issue. Whatever comes out of the reconciliation is final. .

Is it you or the  #ObaofLagos that initiated the move to reconcile with Asiwaju Tinubu?
I don’t think that is of any importance. What is important is that Asiwaju and I have forgotten about the past and have reconciled. He is my leader, my elder brother and I respect him a lot.

Are you planning to join the progressives so that you can contest the APC election in 2019?
I have said it earlier that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is really working hard and that his performance is impressive. We have to do everything possible to support him so that he can continue the good work.

Chief Femi Fani-Kayode making allusion to your reconciliation with Asiwaju, expressed concerns with the move. What is your reaction to this?
What I will say without any hesitation is that my good friend, Femi Fani-Kayode, is entitled to his own opinion and as a brother. I will not join issues with him on the pages of newspapers.

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