19th December, 2014
Chief Olabode George, leader Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos state has said former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro is a “desperate, sinking man” in need of psychiatric help.
In a statement issued by the PDP chieftain on Thursday he said Obanikoro has been unable to take his defeat at the governorship primary by Jimi Agbaje in good strides, instead he has gone about spreading obscenities about him and the party.
It would be recalled that Obanikoro had accused George of working with Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe to manipulate the Lagos State governorship primaries. He also described the primary a ‘sham’ after the total number of votes cast, 863, was higher than the total number of accredited delegates, 806.
He also accused George of bringing armed thugs to the venue of the convention, who scared away his supporters and delegates. Above all, he said the number of votes announced at the end of the primary election was at variance with the accredited delegates.
But in response to Obanikoro’s actions and statement, George said: “One has refrained from engaging Senator Musiliu Obanikoro despite his gross and alarmist provocations. I have deliberately remained distant and quiet, ignoring the stark obscenities of a desperate and obsessed man who is apparently incapable of absorbing the reality of his defeat by a well-bred and better man.
“For Obanikoro to claim in sheer ludicrousness that I, even remotely, identify with any intimations of violence is utter lunacy and blind, vindictive madness. Surely, Obanikoro is possessed and obsessed. He needs immediate psychiatric treatment. He is a desperate sinking man, grasping and thrashing in self inflicted chasm.
“What is the pedigree of this young man who has abandoned the typical African deference to Elders? We know who sprung from violence and banditry. We know whose antecedents reek in noisome, vagrant, untidy ruffianism.
“Politics is not a do or die affair. No civilized person with impeccable pedigree will seek a tacky refuge in destruction and ruin simply because he has lost in a free and fair contest. Obanikoro should go quietly into that good night if he means well for Lagos.
“Enough of his desperate tantrums and lunacy. Lagos has moved on, far beyond the primitive wretchedness of little, ill-bred hooligans,” the statement read.
Obanikoro has since taken his case to a Federal High court in Abuja. The court has asked PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission to appear before it on 23 December.