Muslim Muslim Ticket Cost Tinubu Lagos, Says Obanikoro

Former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, has said President Bola Tinubu’s defeat in Lagos State during the 2023 presidential election was caused by concerns over the Muslim Muslim ticket, not the popularity of Labour Party candidate Peter Obi.

Speaking during an interview on the Mic On Podcast hosted by Channels Television journalist Seun Okinbaloye, Obanikoro argued that many Lagos voters were uncomfortable with the All Progressives Congress’ decision to field two Muslim candidates.

According to him, the religious composition of the ticket generated fears among voters about what a Tinubu presidency would mean for Christians.

“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,” he said.

Obanikoro, however, maintained that those fears had since been proven unfounded, describing Tinubu as someone who does not discriminate on religious grounds.

“People thought it was a situation where Christians in Nigeria would be relegated, and that has been defeated because Tinubu is a Muslim, but he is not a religious bigot that will carry one religion over another,” he said.

He added that Tinubu’s family and appointments reflected religious diversity.

“His wife is a pastor. His son, Seyi, is a Christian. He was born a Muslim. He became a Christian. Most of the people in his cabinet are Christians,” Obanikoro stated.