Obanikoro Reveals Why Tinubu Lost Lagos In 2023 Presidential Election

Former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, has offered insights into why President Bola Tinubu lost Lagos during the 2023 presidential election. According to Ireporter Online, Obanikoro shared his views in an interview on Monday, February 23, 2026.

Obanikoro attributed Tinubu’s defeat to several political dynamics that influenced voter behavior during the election period. While party supporters campaigned vigorously, certain issues shaped electoral decisions.

The former senator highlighted the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket as a significant factor. He noted that Nigeria had never before witnessed such a ticket at the national level, and voters were accustomed to a balance between Muslim and Christian candidates on presidential ballots. The deviation from this pattern, he explained, caused concern among some electorates.

Obanikoro emphasized Lagos’ large Christian population, describing the state as a hub for numerous Christian organisations. Many churches and religious institutions have their headquarters within Lagos and surrounding areas, making religion a pivotal topic during the election. Some voters, he explained, were apprehensive that having candidates from the same religion in top leadership positions could disrupt religious representation in governance.

He added that Nigerian politics has historically followed an informal practice of representing both major religions in key political positions. The departure from this long-standing arrangement, according to Obanikoro, provoked varied reactions among voters in Lagos.

“Asiwaju lost Lagos for so many reasons. One, it was a Muslim-Muslim ticket. Two, Lagos, whether you like it or not, is the capital of the Christian religious groups in Nigeria. All these religious associations or religious groups are headquartered in Lagos or its outskirts, and they have a huge population,” he said.