By Victor Ojelabi

In the rough and tumble world of Nigerian politics, where mudslinging and personal vendettas often take centre stage, it is no surprise that the remarkable career of the distinguished Senator Gbenga Daniel, the former executive governor of Ogun State and current member of Ogun East Senatorial District, has become a target for relentless attacks.

Ordinarily, a lion should not concern itself with the opinion of the sheep. It has no need to stoop down to the level of those who are unable to comprehend its true power and majesty. While it may have been more fitting, but when falsehoods are spread about someone of that calibre, it becomes a responsibility to set the record straight, hence this rejoinder.

Before unleashing a full-throttle response to the insidious campaign of calumny orchestrated by Prince Dapo Abiodun, who conveniently hides behind the cloak of a Olusola Ogunsanya Blessed, supposedly the State Assistant Publicity Secretary of the Ogun State APC, let us pause and ponder a few essential questions. Firstly, who are the members of the Ogun State APC? Is Otunba Gbenga Daniel not a bonafide member of the APC? Did he not secure a resounding mandate from his esteemed constituency to represent them in the Senate under the very same party?

To put things in better perspective, Otunba Daniel during the election conveniently won the right to represent the good people of Ogun East Senatorial District and represent the interest of the whole of Yoruba race at the national assembly. While on the contrary, Prince Abiodun struggled, despite recorded cases of vote buying and voters intimidation, to win a re-election as an incumbent!

It seems rather perplexing that the governor would shamelessly sponsor an article against the Otunba of the Egba and Ijebu clans. What was his motive? Merely because Otunba Daniel granted an interview? Pray tell, what inaccuracies were presented in that interview? Instead of addressing pertinent issues, it appears that Prince Abiodun is resorting to baseless attacks on the character of a distinguished individual.

Instead of engaging in constructive criticism if need be in response to OGD, a name Ogun people fondly turned into Ogidi Omo, a child with substance, and called the former governor, the writer resorts to shameless falsehoods and selective storytelling, with the sole intent of undermining the achievements and integrity of a distinguished politician.

The write-up reeks of a desperate attempt to tarnish the reputation of the former governor. However, it fails to provide any substantive evidence or factual counterarguments to support its claims. It is a feeble attempt to divert attention away from the real issues at hand and to attack the personality of a man who has dedicated his life to public service.

To begin with, it is crucial to highlight the egregious flaws in the article’s approach. Rather than addressing the issues surrounding OGD’s tenure, the piece veers off into irrelevant tangents and personal attacks. By doing so, it conveniently sidesteps the transformative policies and impactful projects implemented during his time as governor. The significant strides made in infrastructure development, education reform, healthcare advancements, and agricultural revitalization are callously dismissed, painting a distorted and incomplete picture of Otunba’s leadership. Can Daniel’s detractors and naysayers claim to receive the same kind of resounding acclaim and unwavering love from the people of Ogun State as he does? Can they honestly beat their chests and point to achievements that measure up to the remarkable accomplishments of the distinguished senator? The answer, quite evidently, is a resounding no.

During his tenure as the Governor of Ogun State, he left an indelible mark on the state’s progress and development. One notable testament to his visionary leadership was the significant increase in Ogun State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Under his astute guidance, the state’s IGR reached an all-time high. His entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to the growth of Ogun State’s economy were exemplified by his establishment of the newspaper publication, Compass Newspaper, strategically located along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. This venture not only contributed to the state’s economy but also played a vital role in providing employment opportunities for thousands of individuals.

In contrast, those who persistently criticise and attempt to tarnish his reputation have failed to present any comparable achievements or a track record of positively impacting the lives of the people they claim to represent. They find themselves grasping at straws, desperately seeking to undermine the significant contributions he made during his tenure as governor.

Furthermore, the article attempts to cast doubt on OGD’s loyalty and political affiliations, demonstrating a clear disregard for the intricate dynamics of Nigerian politics. It is essential to recognize that political alliances can evolve and shift as circumstances change. OGD’s ability to adapt and align himself with the progressive movement when it best served the interests of his constituents speaks volumes about his astuteness and commitment to effective governance.

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Attempting to rewrite history, the writer shamelessly denies OGD’s crucial role in the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Governor of Lagos State in 1999. Such denial is an insult to the intelligence of well-informed Nigerians who are fully aware of this significant contributions by OGD to that historic moment. The testimonies of reputable sources, including Bayo Onanuga and Dele Alake, stand as undeniable evidence of his involvement, leaving no room for doubt or reinterpretation. READ HERE.

Emilokan Day: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the then APC presidential aspirant, with Prince Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun State at the venue of former’s historical speech and declaration

Worthy of note also is the fact that he brought his veteran experience and strategic acumen to the forefront during the presidential campaign of Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu. While he may have operated behind the scenes with his customary quiet efficiency, there is no doubt about the pivotal role he played in Ogun State, the Southwest region, and indeed the entire nation. With his wealth of experience and deep understanding of the political landscape, he worked tirelessly, marshaling resources, mobilizing support, and rallying the people behind the cause.

Moreover, the article selectively presents unsubstantiated allegations of impropriety and misconduct, without providing concrete evidence or allowing for due process. It is essential to uphold the principles of justice and fairness by granting Ogidi Omo a fair and impartial investigation, should genuine concerns about his actions arise. However, engaging in baseless accusations and character assassinations only serves to distract from the substantive issues and undermine the integrity of the political discourse.

It is regrettable that such a combative and unfounded attack on Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s character has been given a platform. It is also disheartening to witness Prince Abiodun resorting to such petty tactics. Rather than engaging in a meaningful discourse on the issues that affect the people of Ogun State, he chooses to launch baseless attacks on a revered figure in an attempt to tarnish his reputation. This approach is indicative of a leader who lacks the vision, integrity, and substance to address the pressing concerns of the state.

According to StatiSense’s 10 Economic and Social Key Indicators for June 2023, 68.1% of the state’s population is faced with multidimensional poverty, while pensions were not remitted for both employees and retirees. And yet, these are just few of the things being faced by the citizens. It’s so sad that the governor o mo eyi to kan.

This feeble attempt by Eleyi camp to damage the name and reputation of Otunba Gbenga Daniel falls flat in the face of the overwhelming evidence of his achievements; it is dead on arrival. The people of Ogun State have spoken through their resounding support and unwavering admiration for Ogidi Omo.

It is high time that Abiodun and his allies ceased their character assassination and focus on addressing the real issues that affect the lives of the people they are meant to serve.

An excerpt from the viral interview Otunba Daniel responsible for the restlessness of the governor’s camp, the former governor was more focused on his last legacy for the good of the state than anything else.

“Of course, industrially, we saw the light early. We knew that we needed to turn around the economy of the state. So, we paid special attention to industrialising the state. He stated;

“In the course of our tenure, we were able to create three free trade zones.

“The first was the Olokola Free Trade Zone, which we did collectively with Ondo State at that time. The zone was to have major projects including deep seaport, which was supposed to be deepest in Nigeria and Olokola LNG, which was supposed to be the biggest in the world. It was supposed to host giant industries like Dangote Refinery, which was later moved to Lekki. That is the Ogun East initiative.

“In Ogun West, we created the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ) in partnership with China. Luckily, OGFTZ was inaugurated before I left office during the official visit of President Goodluck Jonathan. By the time I left office, we already had 40 full-fledged companies in OGFTZ, manufacturing various products. All the ceramics, which looked imported on our streets, are from OGFTZ. The only functioning glass industry we have in this country is located in OGFTZ, but people do not know.

“In Ogun Central, we created the Kajola Transportation Free Trade Zone. The essence was to move the existing Iddo terminus to Kajola within Ifo Local Government Area and build it up as a transportation hub. Before he left office, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo inaugurated some wagons there before he left office. That is the third free trade zone we created during my tenure as the governor of Ogun State.”

It’s so obvious that eleyi o mo eyi to kan.

The people of Ogun State deserve better than these desperate attempts to deflect attention and engage in petty politics. Ogun people do not deserve Prince Abiodun as their governor.

As Otunba Gbenga Daniel embarks on his senatorial journey, it is paramount to rise above the muck of personal attacks and engage in substantive discussions that promote progress and meaningful change.

Rejecting the politics of character assassination, let us embrace a more elaborate and inclusive discourse that focuses on the transformative potential of leaders like him.

By fostering unity, encouraging constructive criticism, and basing evaluations on concrete evidence, we can collectively build a brighter future for Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole.

It is in our hands to elevate the political narrative and uphold the values of integrity and fairness.

Ogidi Omo ki i se eni arifin.