The All Progressives Congress House of Representatives candidate for Eti Osa Federal Constituency, Lagos State , Babajide Obanikoro , on Monday said his father , Musiliu Obanikoro, is his godfather .
According to the former Peoples Democratic Party member, he defected to the ruling party because its leaders know how to win elections.
Babajide spoke during a debate at the Civic Centre, Lagos .
The event was organised by Media Room Hub in collaboration with Pulse Nigeria and British Broadcasting Corporation Pidgin News.
Other candidates at the debate were Olubankole Wellington ( Modern Democratic Party) , Omotesho Bakare ( Peoples Democratic Party) , Tessy Owolabi ( Social Democratic Party) , and Ferdinand Adimefe ( Alliance for New Nigeria ) .
Babajide, who said he had been running for elective posts since 2011 when he was 29, said godfatherism was an important element of politics.
He said , “ I ’ ll tell you that godfathers have nothing to do with general elections . It ’ s an internal affair . If you have a party that has a structure on the ground, whether you like it or not, there will be godfathers within that party
Babajide said , “ My father is my godfather . Where do you want me to put the likes of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu? I do have godfathers within my party and I appreciate them . Whether you like it or not , what they have seen , the experience they have, no matter where you ’ re coming from , you can never buy it or have it. You need them to move forward , it ’ s a synergy , that’ s where your ability to negotiate comes in . That you don’ t need godfatherism , that’ s a total lie. ”
A participant at the debate asked why he came out for an elective post despite the allegations of corruption against his father in which his name ( Babajide ) was also mentioned.
She asked if the APC candidate was not using money from the arms deal scandal for his campaign.
Babajide said , “ I will encourage you to ( conduct) your research very well. My father was in charge of the ministries of foreign affairs and defence in this country and nothing was reported to be missing . He was a commissioner in Lagos State . If you don’ t understand politics, you may not know what is going on . Conduct your research very well. ”
Wellington promised that if elected , he would make his earnings public , calling on residents to break away from the APC, PDP tradition and vote for him.
Source: Punchng
