Obanikoro contested the 2007 Lagos governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party after defecting from the Alliance for Democracy, but was declared to have lost to Babatunde Fashola of the Action Congress, Tinubu’s party at the time.
Obanikoro spoke during an interview on the Mic On podcast hosted by Channels Television journalist, Seun Okinbaloye, and posted online on Sunday.
Now a bigwig in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Obanikoro stated that his priority at the age of 66 is mentoring the younger generation rather than seeking elective office.
“It is completely off the table (referring to governorship ambition). I’m 66, at this age we want to reflect more and do things that will properly help the coming generation,” he said.
He stressed the need for experienced Nigerians to guide younger people, arguing that the country’s declining family and value systems have made mentorship more important.
“Let me say this, particularly in Nigeria, there is a need for people to mentor the coming generation. The family structure has more or less collapsed.
“Our value system is in reverse gear. When you review all of that, the best people like us can do is mentor more.
“Let the coming generation be calm and patient. Whether we like it or not, they stand to inherit Nigeria,” he said.
During the interview, Okinbaloye noted that many of Obanikoro’s supporters believed he won the election.
Responding, the former minister said he shared that belief.
“I also believe that we won that election, but you know Nigeria, it is what it is,” Obanikoro said.
Asked whether he regretted challenging the political structure of former Lagos governor and President Bola Tinubu, under whom he had served as a commissioner, Obanikoro said he had no regrets.
“All I wanted to do was to achieve what I set my mind on. I was not even thinking about whether I’m fighting against my own family — the Bola Tinubu political structure.
“I just felt I wanted to be governor because at that time I was full of so many things in my mind,” he said.
Obanikoro was recently appointed as the Director-General of the Obafemi Hamzat governorship campaign for the 2027 Lagos governorship election.