Jide-Ojo Jide Olusola with Senator Musiliu Obanikoro
The appointment of veteran politician and former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, as Director-General of the Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat Governorship Campaign Organization has been described as a major political masterstroke capable of reshaping the dynamics of the Lagos political landscape ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Reports indicate that Obafemi Hamzat officially named Obanikoro to lead the campaign machinery, a move widely viewed as a strategic effort to strengthen grassroots mobilization and stakeholder engagement across Lagos State.
Reacting to the development, the CEO and Publisher of Sports247 Nigeria, Jide-Ojo Jide Olusola, congratulated Senator Obanikoro, describing him as a leader whose political journey has become a reference point for grassroots leadership, strategic thinking, and public service.
“Today, Lagos politics has once again turned to one of its most experienced hands. Senator Musiliu Obanikoro is not just a politician; he is a grassroots mobilizer, a mentor, and a master strategist whose influence cuts across generations,” Jide-Ojo said.
The Sports247 boss noted that Obanikoro’s vast experience as a former local government chairman, commissioner, senator, diplomat, and minister makes him uniquely qualified to coordinate a campaign of such magnitude. Political observers have also pointed to his extensive experience in Lagos politics and governance as a major asset to the Hamzat campaign.
“Having served at virtually every level of governance, Senator Obanikoro understands the language of the grassroots and the expectations of the people. His appointment sends a clear message that the campaign intends to connect directly with communities, party faithful, and stakeholders across Lagos.”
Jide-Ojo further described the development as a significant boost for Dr. Hamzat’s political structure, expressing confidence that the campaign would benefit immensely from Obanikoro’s leadership, coordination, and political network.
“Leaders like Obanikoro do not merely run campaigns; they build movements, inspire confidence, and create pathways for victory. I have no doubt that his experience and leadership will strengthen the campaign and help articulate a clear vision for Lagos.”
He added that the appointment serves as a reminder of the importance of experience, loyalty, and grassroots engagement in modern politics.
As congratulatory messages continue to pour in from political leaders, stakeholders, and supporters across the state, many see Obanikoro’s emergence as a defining moment in the build-up to the 2027 governorship race.
For Sports247, the story goes beyond politics—it is about leadership, strategy, and the power of grassroots connection, values that continue to shape success in every sphere of society.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has omitted former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, from its final list of governorship candidates for Gombe State ahead of the February 6, 2027 election.
Politics Nigeria reports that the commission released a list of 16 cleared candidates for the election, but Pantami’s name was missing despite his earlier inclusion in the provisional list published on August 29.
Among the candidates on the final list are Bala Bello Tinka of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Babayo Ardo Kumo of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).
Others include Zubairu Mu’azu Halilu of the Labour Party (LP), Lamela L. Silas of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Ibrahim Jalo Abubakar of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Adamu Mohammed Ma’aji of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Pantami’s exclusion comes amid a series of legal disputes over his emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state.
The former minister had initially sought the APC governorship ticket but left the party after it settled for Gwamna as its consensus candidate. He subsequently joined the PDP and emerged as the party’s flag bearer through voice affirmation at its governorship primary.
However, a Federal High Court sitting in Gombe nullified his initial emergence on May 26, following a challenge to the primary process.
The court ordered a fresh primary election, which Pantami won on September 29 with 2,054 votes, defeating Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki and Usman Aliyu Garry.
Garry had challenged Pantami’s emergence, arguing that the required primary election was not properly conducted before the former minister was declared the party’s candidate.
Despite winning the court-ordered rerun, Pantami’s eligibility remained in doubt following the Supreme Court’s September 24, 2026 judgment on provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 governing political party membership registers and candidate eligibility.
The Supreme Court affirmed the constitutionality of Sections 77(5), 77(6) and 77(7) of the Electoral Act 2026 and upheld INEC’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 elections.
The provisions bar political parties from fielding candidates whose names were not included in the membership registers submitted to INEC within the stipulated period.
INEC has maintained that parties found to have violated the requirements will not be permitted to participate in the elections through candidates whose nominations breach the law.
Mohammed Haruna, an INEC national commissioner in charge of information and voter education, said the commission would not allow parties to replace candidates affected by the provisions.
Haruna made the clarification during an appearance on Trust TV’s programme on Wednesday evening, explaining that allowing substitutions would enable political parties to benefit from their own violations.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan
He cited previous disputes involving Zamfara and Plateau states to illustrate the consequences of parties failing to comply with electoral requirements.
“It’s like you committed an offence. And then, you come and benefit from it,” Haruna said.
He added that allowing parties to substitute candidates in such circumstances would amount to permitting them to benefit from an offence they had committed.
Haruna also indicated that the commission expected to make a definite pronouncement on the implications of the Supreme Court judgment by the following Tuesday.