Raji Rasaki was a one time military governor of
Ogun State (1986–87) before his re-deployment to the nation's
economic nerve center,
Lagos State, becoming that state’s military
governor in 1988. Soon after, he embarked on a massive
demolition exercise of illegal structures to rid the State of shanties. That singular act resulted in the re-vitalization of Lagos, and a boom in the real estate market. It also earned him the nickname of "acsion governor" (action governor), a mockery of the way in which he referred to himself. A member of the armed forces ruling council, he gained national prominence during the 22 April 1990 unsuccessful
coup against the
Ibrahim Babangida regime. The plotters led by the late Major
Gideon Orkar had attempted to overrun the then seat of the Federal Government,
Dodan Barracks, and in that process killing Babangida’s
Aide de Camp, Major U.K. Bello. Late Major Orkar had announced many far-reaching declarations, which included radical restructuring of the federation bordering on the excision of five core northern States until the coup was foiled by officers loyal to Babangida. The first announcement to this effect came from the then military governor of Lagos state, Col. Raji Rasaki, who declared in a
radio broadcast that the
rebellion was already being contained. ==Later career==