This year marks the 25th anniversary of when president Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu took the oath of office to become the governor of Lagos S
This year marks the 25th anniversary of when president Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu took the oath of office to become the governor of Lagos State. Within this period, quite a number of those who were his commissioners have gone on to do great things and remained in the public’s radar. Only a few chose to embrace the quiet life with a handful passing on. So what have become of some of these political associates and subordinates?
Chief (Mrs) Kemi Nelson is late. She served as the Commissioner for Establishment Training and Job Creation. She later served as the Women Leader of Lagos State Chapter of The All Progressives Congress, APC. She was later made the Southwest Women Leader of APC. She was the only female serving member of the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council, GAC. She was the executive director of National Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF.
Yemi Cardoso is the current Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Governor. He was Commissioner for Economy Physical Planning and Budget.
Wale Edun is the current Minister of Finance. He was the Commissioner for Finance
Dele Alake is the current Minister of Solid Minerals. He was the commissioner for information.
Olateju Phillips is the current Chairman of Lasaco Assurance Plc, LASACO. She was the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry.
Kaoli Olatunji Olusanya remains a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos. He was the Commissioner for Agriculture in Tinubu’s two terms. Ironically, his daughter, Abisola is the current Commissioner for Agriculture in Lagos State.
Leke Pitan has been silent for a long time. He is currently the Executive Director of the Pitman-UK training Centre in Nigeria. He was Tinubu’s Commissioner for Health.
Lai Mohammed was the Chief of Staff and later, National Publicity Secretary to the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, a post he held until when he was appointed and assigned the portfolio of the Minister of Information under late Muhammadu Buhari.
Yemi Osinbajo was the immediate past Vice President of Nigeria. He was the Attorney-General of the state.
Rauf Aregbesola after serving two times as Governor of Osun State became the immediate past Minister of Interior. He was the Commissioner for Works.
Kayode Anibaba was the Commissioner for Environment and Physical Planning. He fell out with Tinubu when he wanted to contest in 2007. He later left for PDP and became a Special Adviser on Environment to then Ogun State governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel. He later became the chairman of OPIC. That was his last political appointment. He lives a quiet life.
Dr Muiz Banire, SAN is currently no more in active politics. He was appointed as Commissioner for Special Duties and later moved to head the Ministry of Transport where he served as a commissioner till 2007. He then served as Commissioner for Environment until 2011. He was nominated by late president Muhammadu Buhari to serve as Chairman of the Governing Board of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, in 2018.
Lanre Towrey-Coker returned to private practice after serving as Commissioner for Works and Housing.
Dr Idowu Shobowale went back to his academic work after serving in Tinubu administration as his special adviser on education. He is currently retired.
Olusegun Dawodu was the Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Social Development. He would later resign because of the altercation his late father had with Tinubu at that time. He resurfaced again in 2019 as a Commissioner in the cabinet of Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Eniola Fadayomi was the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, the first Commissioner for Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation, as well as the Commissioner for Establishment, Training & Pensions at different times in the State. She has since gone back to private practice and is currently the chairman of African Prudential PLC.
Leo Babatunde Dasilva is late. He was the Secretary to the State Government.
Mumuni Adio Badmus though late was the Commissioner for Education and later Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Olanrewaju Saka Shenayon was a two-term Commissioner for Rural Development, Infrastructures and Energy. He is currently a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC in Badagry.
Senator Musiliu Obanikoro was the Commissioner for Home Affairs and later became Senator representing Lagos Central. He would later defect to PDP, becoming their governorship candidate for Lagos in 2007. He was appointed Ambassador and Minister of State for Defence. He is currently back in the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Femi Obayomi Davies he was a Special Adviser for Local Government Administration. Following which he became the Executive Chairman Badagry Local Government which now has 10 LG/LCDA. He went to House of Reps in 2003 to represent the good people of Ojo Federal Constituency later defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He eventually retraced his steps to All Progressive Congress, APC. He is reportedly very ill currently.
Chief (Sen) Solagbade Olufemi Lanlehin was also a Special Adviser on Political and Legislative Matters. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1992, representing Ikeja Federal Constituency under the Social Democratic Party, SDP. He later represented Oyo South at the Senate under the Action Congress of Nigeria. He once fell apart with Tinubu but later realigned with him and supported his Presidential ambition. He is still actively involved in the politics of Oyo State.
