Formerer Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has broken what he described as a long-standing “stoic silence” on political matters to refute claims made by the incumbent governor, Dapo Abiodun, accusing him of peddling mischief and outright falsehoods.
In a lengthy statement signed by the Senator representing Ogun East, Daniel said he was compelled to respond in order to set the record straight, particularly on assertions that Abiodun played a role in his political rise.
Daniel, who governed Ogun State between 2003 and 2011, was reacting to a claim by Abiodun that he helped OGD become a governor and a Senator.
OGD dismissed the claim that Abiodun handed over any political structure to him ahead of the 2003 elections, insisting instead that the structure he inherited came largely from the late political leader, Jubril Martins-Kuye, and other stakeholders within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Recounting the December 2002 PDP governorship primaries in Abeokuta, Daniel said he secured a landslide victory with 178 votes out of 250, defeating Abiodun and other aspirants.
He alleged that Abiodun had led a coalition aimed at forcing a rerun based on zoning arguments but failed due to the margin of his victory.
The former governor further claimed that after the primaries, Abiodun disappeared to Abuja, while other contestants stayed back to support the party’s candidate.
He added that despite this, he later appointed Abiodun to oversee the Olokola Free Trade Zone project during his administration.
Daniel also addressed events surrounding subsequent political alignments, alleging that Abiodun’s later association with former governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, contributed to tensions within the state’s political space.
On the 2015 elections, Daniel claimed that Abiodun privately sought his support after securing the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial ticket, which he said he granted by mobilising his loyalists.
However, he alleged that Abiodun had earlier worked against his own senatorial ambition within the PDP.
In his account of the 2019 political developments, Daniel said he supported Abiodun’s governorship bid at the request of key APC leaders, including President Bola Tinubu, despite opposition from Amosun.
He noted that Abiodun won the election by a narrow margin of about 19,000 votes.
Daniel, however, expressed disappointment over his treatment at Abiodun’s inauguration, describing an incident involving seating arrangements as embarrassing and a bad signal of what was to come.
He further accused the current administration of hostility, citing disputes over property ownership, including the takeover of his hotel in Abeokuta and the demolition of his wife’s business premises in Ijebu-Ode.
Addressing his defection to the APC, Daniel denied claims that Abiodun facilitated his move, crediting other party leaders such as Mai Mala Buni, John Odigie-Oyegun, Rotimi Akeredolu and Nasir El-Rufai for encouraging his entry into the ruling party.
On his legal battles with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Daniel clarified that he does not hold Abiodun directly responsible but noted that he found no relief at the Ogun State High Court during the period.
He added that he was eventually discharged and acquitted by the Court of Appeal.
By Adewale Adewale
