Former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, has declared that he believes he won the 2007 Lagos State governorship election, although he acknowledged that the official result declared him defeated by Babatunde Fashola.

Obanikoro made the assertion during an interview on the Mic On podcast hosted by Channels Television journalist Seun Okinbaloye, where he also announced that he has permanently shelved his ambition to become governor of Lagos State.

The former minister, who contested the 2007 election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after leaving the Alliance for Democracy (AD), said his focus has shifted from elective politics to mentoring younger Nigerians.

"It is completely off the table. I'm 66, and at this age we should reflect more and do things that will properly help the coming generation," he said.

Speaking on the country's leadership challenges, Obanikoro lamented what he described as the collapse of Nigeria's family and value systems, stressing that experienced leaders have a responsibility to guide and mentor the younger generation.

"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.

"The best people like us can do is mentor more. Let the coming generation be calm and patient because, whether we like it or not, they stand to inherit Nigeria," he stated.

When reminded that many of his supporters believed he actually won the 2007 governorship election, Obanikoro responded, "I also believe that we won that election, but you know Nigeria, it is what it is."

He also dismissed suggestions that he regretted taking on the political structure of President Bola Tinubu, under whom he had previously served as a commissioner in Lagos State.

According to him, his decision to contest the governorship was driven solely by his conviction that he was prepared to lead the state.

"All I wanted to do was to achieve what I set my mind on. I was not even thinking about whether I was 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.