A former Minister of State for Defense, Musiliu Obanikorohe says he is running for the senatorial seat of Lagos West to secure an advantageous bargaining chip for Lagos state in the next dispensation.
Obanikoro, a candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), made his intention known in a statement on Friday in Lagos.
The applicant said his legislative and administrative experiences would help attract major infrastructure projects where unemployment could be addressed in the short to medium term.
He added that the state would be better positioned for better economic prosperity and state security would take center stage at the federal level if elected.
Mr. Obanikoro expressed confidence that he will lobby other lawmakers to achieve the long-awaited special status for Lagos state, address unemployment and more infrastructure, and make Lagos security a central national issue.
“With more than 20 years of experience serving at all levels of government, including the National Assembly as a senator, I know how things work,” said Mr. Obanikoro, who joined the APC in 2017 from the PDP.
“I know how to navigate and do things in government that the state will benefit from, from day one of my return to office.
“My experience and ability to get things done certainly make me the most viable candidate.
“However, my vision and legislative plan for Lagos is one that I am equally proud of and am confident the people of the West Lagos Senate District will appreciate and approve of.”
Mr. Obanikoro pointed out that the center of excellence was too linked to Nigeria not to receive a special status that required special attention and collaboration with the Federal Government.
The challenger said that in terms of infrastructure development, the state deserved a seaport in Badagry and was committed to making it happen.
He said about unemployment, that young people need jobs and that a short term plan was required in which a big contribution to this was also the lack of skills for the jobs available.
Mr. Obanikoro said there is a focus on white collar jobs, hence the need for a robust workforce for its main industries.
Regarding security, he said that they were already feeling the consequences of insecurity in the country in Lagos state, showing that the state needed a safe Nigeria to keep Lagos safe as well.
(YAYA)