“Enough Is Enough”: Gbenga Daniel Breaks Silence on Allegations Against Him

I have maintained a stoic silence, especially on political matters, out of respect for what I considered to be the overall interest of the Ijebu heritage. However, I will respond to this particular issue in order to set the record straight.

As has become typical of our Governor, his account was riddled with mischief and outright falsehoods. I have remained muted until now out of respect for the office of the Governor of Ogun State, a position I was privileged to occupy.

Unfortunately, that respect appears undeserved by the current and outgoing occupier of that office, Prince Dapo Abiodun, whom I will refer to as PDA for the purpose of this exposition. Please read patiently.

Act 1, Scene 1: December 2002 – PDP Primaries, Abeokuta

Results:

OGD – 178 votes

PDA – 32 votes

Okupe – 31 votes

Shoda – 10 votes

Adefulu – 1 vote

PDA had led a coalition of the other contestants, arguing that I was not a “pure Remo” man but an Ijebu man. At the time, the rule required a candidate to secure at least 51% of the votes to emerge winner. In PDA’s calculation, even if I led, I would fall short of that threshold, forcing a rerun where the others would unite with him against me.

However, with 178 out of 250 votes, I secured over 70% and was duly declared winner, despite numerous underhanded efforts against me. I hope I will not be compelled to open that chapter fully.

Act 1, Scene 2

PDA did not hand over any political structure to me; in fact, I doubt he had any structure to hand over. On the contrary, it was Sen. Jubril Martins Kuye who handed over his structure, and I ensured that members of that group were well accommodated.

Notable individuals included Mrs Apampa, Alhaji Lekan Mustapha (later Honourable and Distinguished Senator under my watch), Alhaji Sarafa Tunji Ishola (later SSG, Minister, and then Ambassador through Gov. Amosun), and Hon. Segun Adekoya (Attacker), one of my finest commissioners.

While other contestants accepted the outcome of the primaries, PDA disappeared to Abuja. I must acknowledge Prince Emma Shoda (rtd. Colonel), who played an exceptional role in reconciling stakeholders and supporting my administration without seeking any appointment.

When the opportunity arose, I appointed PDA to oversee our Olokola Free Trade Zone initiative. The full story of how we lost the Dangote Refinery to Lagos will be told someday if necessary.

Notably, one of PDA’s loyalists, Koye Ijaduoye, publicly criticised me harshly. Yet, I still appointed him as my Special Adviser and carried him along till the end of my tenure. I made deliberate efforts to integrate PDA’s associates. Therefore, the claim that PDA handed over any structure to me is false.

Act 2, Scene 1: 2003 Elections

The 2003 election against an incumbent was intense. Senator Ibikunle Amosun fought alongside me in Ogun Central, although he had already begun his own gubernatorial ambition before I was sworn in.

PDA later aligned with Amosun (SIA), but instead of fostering peace, his role reportedly worsened tensions between us. This became evident years later when Amosun visited me, and revelations were made regarding PDA’s conduct.

It is clear that the bitterness from the 2002 primaries never truly subsided.

Act 2, Scene 2: 2015

Buruji Kashamu offered me the PDP senatorial ticket for a fee, which I rejected. In 2019, he offered it again without charge after I assisted him in a legal matter. Before his passing, he reportedly instructed his structure to support me and expressed regret over past misinformation.

Back to 2015: one night at Asoludero Court, a mutual friend Kashim Imam visited me and brought along a surprising guest, PDA. He had secured the APC senatorial ticket and didn’t know how to approach me for support. He specifically mentioned some of my loyalists in Odogbolu, including Bisi Ogunde and Deji Kalejaiye. I immediately called them to support him, and they remain with him to date.

Ironically, Kashamu later confessed that PDA had paid him a significant sum to deny me the PDP ticket. It later occurred to me that it was for this reason he couldn’t directly approach me for support, knowing what he had done against me. If he denies, witnesses are available.

Despite this, I supported PDA. However, he lost the election to Kashamu because my God is not asleep.

Act 3, Scene 1: 2019

As DG of the Atiku Campaign Organisation, I oversaw the primaries in Port Harcourt, which Atiku won. Subsequently, Bukola Saraki took over as DG for the general campaign.

I was assigned responsibility for all 17 southern states, while Kwankwaso handled the northern states. Ultimately, Buhari won the election.

In Ogun State, Amosun rejected PDA, declaring him unfit for office. I did not investigate his reasons. However, at the request of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, conveyed through later Senator Pepper and Apostle David Salako, I supported PDA.

He won narrowly by about 19,000 votes, the smallest margin in Ogun State history. Notably, he lost both Ogun West and Ogun Central.

Without the intervention of some of us, the outcome might have been different.

Act 3, Scene 2

I attended PDA’s inauguration, my first official state function in eight years. There was an embarrassing incident regarding seating arrangements. On getting to the venue, contrary to protocol, I was told my seat has been taken by Gov. Olusegun Osoba for his wife, Her Exc, Derin Osoba. That was the first bad signal.

Immediately after the ceremony, I moved to reclaim the Abeokuta hotel, which had been unlawfully locked despite nearly 30 court victories in my favour. We had previously avoided confrontation due to Amosun’s closeness to the President at the time.

PDA later accused me publicly of taking over my own property without his permission. That became “Offence No. 1.”

Despite legal victories, Certificates of Occupancy tied to my properties have not been restored. Some properties are even being reacquired unlawfully. My wife’s DATKEM Plaza in Ijebu Ode was also demolished.

Act 4, Scene 1

Contrary to claims, PDA had no role in my joining the APC. Key figures who encouraged me included then National Chairman, Mai Mala Buni, Chief John Oyegun, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, and Nasir el-Rufai. Asiwaju Tinubu had also encouraged me earlier.

The APC chieftains had planned an exploratory visit to my Sagamu residence which coincided with another visit by the northern governors to PDA in order to address herdsmen clashes occurring in the state as of then. PDA joined them to my residence. During the visit, he theatrically presented me with a broom in front of cameras.

One fine day, I received an invitation from the Chief of Staff to meet President Buhari alongside Dimeji Bankole. When PDA saw the pictures, he became upset that the meeting occurred without his arrangement, despite being informed. That became “Offence No. 2.”

He then advised me to visit Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. I did so with a delegation comprising Opeyemi Agbaje and Engr. Adeola. Subsequently, members of my delegation were reprimanded by PDA’s Tokunbo Talabi for accompanying me. That became “Offence No. 3.”

At that point, I began to withdraw, knowing PDA doesn’t want me in circulation.

Act 4, Scene 2

Regarding my EFCC trial, I do not hold PDA responsible. However, I received no relief at the Ogun State High Court, which was apparently under his influence.

I was eventually discharged and acquitted by the Court of Appeal in Ibadan. The judges ruled unanimously that I should never have been tried in the first place.

All glory goes to God and my legal team, led by Prof. Taiwo Osipitan SAN, Tayo Oyetibo SAN, and Titi Akinlawon SAN.

I will pause here for now. If necessary, I will respond further. I have already published four books, but as events unfold, I may return to writing again to set the record straight for posterity.

–Otunba Daniel, former Governor of Ogun State, is the Senator representing Ogun East District