Michael Otedola became governor of Lagos State through a democratic election during Nigeria’s Third Republic transition programme under military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida.

Here’s how it happened:

President Ibrahim Babangida created Nigeria’s two political parties: National Republican Convention (NRC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Otedola, a journalist and businessman with no prior elective office, won the NRC gubernatorial primary.

In the main election on December 14, 1991 (some early reports misdate it as December 4), Otedola (NRC) faced Chief Yomi Edu of the SDP which already had internal divisions as leading aspirants like Lateef Jakande’s allies were reportedly unhappy with Edu’s emergence after disqualifications of other candidates. Jakande and his supporters shifted from Edu and backed Otedola.

Otedola’s victory in the election was a major surprise to many as the NRC was generally seen as more conservative and less dominant in the southwest. Despite this, the SDP dominated the state House of Assembly, winning 26 of 30 seats.

Otedola took the oath of office on January 2, 1992, and served until November 1993 when General Sani Abacha’s dissolved the civilian governments.

This made Otedola the second democratically elected governor of Lagos State (after Lateef Jakande in the Second Republic). His campaign emphasized peace and excellence, leading to the enduring slogan “Lagos: Centre of Excellence.”

Note: Michael Otedola is the father of Billionaire Femi Otedola.