Obanikoro Says Muslim-Muslim Ticket Cost Tinubu Lagos Victory in 2023 Election
Former Minister of State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro has explained why President Bola Tinubu lost Lagos State in the 2023 presidential election.
According to Obanikoro, the defeat was not due to the Labour Party or its presidential candidate Peter Obi, but rather to widespread voter apprehension about the APC’s Muslim‑Muslim ticket.
He said many voters feared what a presidency led by two Muslims would mean for Christians in Nigeria, worrying that the Christian community would be sidelined.
“Let me tell you, what defeated us in Lagos was the Muslim‑Muslim ticket, not Peter Obi. People were afraid because they didn’t know what Tinubu’s presidency would look like,” Obanikoro stated.
He added that the concerns were unfounded, noting that Tinubu’s wife is a pastor, his son Seyi is a Christian, and that many members of his cabinet are Christians.
The APC’s decision to pair Tinubu with former Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima, also a Muslim, sparked nationwide debate. While the party defended the choice on competence and electoral strategy, critics argued it overlooked Nigeria’s religious diversity.
About the Author
