Obanikoro Explains Why He Called Fashola a ‘Toy Governor’
Former defence minister Musiliu Obanikoro has revealed the reason behind his earlier description of ex‑Lagos governor Babatunde Fashola as a “toy governor.”
He said the remark was made when he left the All Progressives Congress to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to run for office, claiming he viewed Fashola as a mere puppet of Bola Tinubu at that time.
In a recent appearance on the Mic On Podcast, Obanikoro softened his stance, referring to Fashola as his brother and fellow Isale Eko indigene.
He explained that he felt politically more seasoned, having served as a local government chairman, commissioner and senator, which gave him greater maturity and exposure to Lagos governance.
Obanikoro added that Fashola was essentially Tinubu’s chief of staff and was contesting an elected position for the first time, which led him to see the former governor as inexperienced.
Quoting him: “Fashola is my brother, and we are both from Isale Eko. To me, he was never a politician. After serving as a local government chairman, commissioner and senator, I believed I had more political maturity, exposure and experience to govern at that time. Don’t forget that was the first time he was going to come out and run for anything as far as the government is concerned; he was Chief of Staff to Oga.”
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