We helped make Abiodun Ogun gov – Daniel

Former Ogun State governor and senator representing Ogun East senatorial district, Gbenga Daniel, has claimed that his political team played a key role in the emergence of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

He said without their support, Abiodun might not have secured the governorship.

Daniel made the remark while reflecting on his 70th birthday and discussing his political journey with journalists in his hometown, Sagamu, Ogun State.

Daniel disclosed that political developments in Ogun PDP at the time influenced his eventual support for Abiodun’s governorship ambition.

“Without people like us and the grace of God, he probably wouldn’t have been governor,” he said.

Both Daniel and Abiodun have been at loggerheads since the beginning of the second term of Abiodun’s tenure.

The governor had expressed regret that some of those he helped to win the National Assembly election did not support his re-election.

He believed that if they had supported him, he would have secured an easy win over the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election, Ladi Adebutu, who comes from the same Remo zone as the governor.

Abiodun defeated Adebutu with 13,915 votes, despite being the incumbent governor at the time of the election.

Daniel, however, insisted that he worked alongside his team to secure Abiodun’s re-election.

The former governor, however, expressed concern about what he described as a lack of adequate recognition of contributions made by political allies.

He said leadership should prioritise public interest over personal considerations, noting that he had avoided unnecessary political disputes by seeking legal redress where necessary.

“I think our duty as leaders is to be responsive and responsible to the expectations of the people,” he said.

As Ogun prepares for the next political cycle, Daniel called for mature leadership capable of consolidating development gains in the state.

“We need a mature person who appreciates that beyond ego and self-consideration, it is time to look at the collective interest of the state,” he said.

Speaking on why he left the Peoples Democratic Party after he used the platform for his governorship ambition, Daniel said he did not jump out of the party, insisting that his political decisions were driven by ideological conviction.

“I didn’t jump. First, I have only been part of what we call the progressives and don’t forget I was part of the AD-Afenifere.

“Why I went to PDP is because we saw potential that could be developed, and we didn’t see an opportunity within the framework of the party at that time to do it because of the way the party was set up.

“Not anybody’s fault. And I can’t blame them because what they are doing or what they have done is within the framework of their understanding.

“Whether they are right or wrong, it is posterity that can finally decide that, but the party felt that ‘Gbenga, it’s not your turn yet,’” he explained.

Daniel said his political journey was inspired by the need to reposition Ogun State for rapid development, describing the state as a “giant asleep” when he first ventured into politics.

According to him, his administration focused on infrastructure, agriculture, education and sports development as part of deliberate efforts to lay a solid foundation for growth.

“We thought that the state should be in a hurry to develop. There was no government before us, to a large extent, that faced all issues squarely without leaving anything behind,” he said.

He also acknowledged the ideological influence of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, saying his administration sought to revive key agricultural initiatives inspired by Awolowo’s democratic socialist philosophy.

He added that he maintained long standing political relationships across party lines, including with President Bola Tinubu and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

On governance, Daniel emphasised the need for inclusive development across Ogun geopolitical zones, stressing that economic considerations rather than political interests should drive major projects.

He cited free trade zones and infrastructure initiatives undertaken during his administration as examples of policies aimed at balanced development.

Daniel expressed optimism about Nigeria’s economic prospects, commending Tinubu’s reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, which he described as inevitable.

“Anybody who is anybody in terms of economic knowledge has come to the conclusion that subsidy is not sustainable,” he said.

He also advocated for state police, describing decentralisation of security architecture as overdue.

“I believe that from the totality of what we’ve had, we need to have state police and community police. The earlier we do it, the better.”

Nigeria has been grappling with multifaceted security challenges, characterised by banditry, Boko Haram insurgency, mass kidnappings, and violent farmer-herder conflicts, which have displaced thousands and caused significant loss of life.

Tinubu, in February, during an interfaith breaking of fast, firstly with the senators and later with members of the House of Representatives, reiterated the need to establish a state police to enhance security across the country.

Reflecting on his life journey at 70, the former governor said gratitude to God remained his overriding feeling despite the challenges he had faced in public service.

“I once wrote somewhere, ‘Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do.’ Because most of the time, from the totality of what has happened to me, that summarises my own experience,” he said.

He noted that the milestone offered an opportunity for sober reflection, particularly after losing several family members over the years.

“When you look back, the only thing you can do is just to give thanks to God,” he added.(Punch)