Former Ogun State governor and senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, has opened up on the bitter political rivalry that once defined his relationship with his successor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, revealing that he endured a prolonged witch-hunt after Amosun assumed office in 2011.
Daniel, who turned 70, made the disclosure on Monday during a thanksgiving service held at Abraham’s Tabernacle, Sagamu, where he described Amosun as his “enfant terrible successor” who subjected him to what he called a hellish ordeal driven by political score-settling.
Speaking at the ceremony, Daniel said, “Let me appreciate the former governors who are here, especially the one they call Ajiri, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, an enfant terrible successor of mine. He showed me hell, but we thank God, with the prayers of our clergymen, he has repented.”
He said the root of their falling-out was Amosun’s impatience to occupy Government House, adding that the former governor’s ambition could not be contained by anyone.
“Sen Ibikunle, thank you very much. We started the race together, but you were too much in a hurry to be governor. That was what happened. It is people like you that we call Ajagungbade. You fought for the crown, and you got it and became the governor, and there is nothing anyone can do about it. I wish you well, and I thank you sincerely for coming,” he said.
LEGAL OBSERVER reports that both men, who were once political allies within the Peoples Democratic Party, fell apart in the build-up to the 2007 governorship election. While Daniel was serving his first term as governor between 2003 and 2007, Amosun was representing Ogun Central in the Senate on the same PDP platform.
Their alliance crumbled when Daniel’s bid for a second term reportedly stoked tensions. Amosun defected from the PDP and challenged Daniel under the All Nigeria People’s Party platform but lost that election.
Amosun eventually clinched the governorship in the 2011 election, defeating Gboyega Isiaka of the Peoples Party of Nigeria, who had Daniel’s backing.
Upon assuming office, Amosun ordered a probe of his predecessor’s administration, which led the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to charge Daniel to court over alleged financial embezzlement running to N7bn.
After years of trial, Daniel was discharged and acquitted of approximately 15 charges.
Daniel, however, said the two men have since mended fences and are now focused on contributing to the development of Ogun State and Nigeria.
The birthday thanksgiving attracted a high-profile gathering that included the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye; former President Olusegun Obasanjo, represented by his wife, Mrs Bola Obasanjo; Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Osun State Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi; former Governor Amosun; Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja; Alake and paramount ruler of Egba land, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; Akarigbo and paramount ruler of Remo land, Oba Babatunde Ajayi; Senator Iyabo Obasanjo; and 2023 PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu.
Ministering at the service, Pastor Adeboye described Daniel as “quite an exceptional politician and original Omoluwabi,” adding that, having lived in Ogun State since 1983, he could attest without reservation that Daniel never played politics with the church.
“If you are looking for original Omoluwabi, Gbenga Daniel is one, and people like him are quite few. That is why when he approached me and said that I would be the one to say a few words during his 70th birthday, I said I would alter my busy schedule and be there,” Adeboye said.
Daniel urged Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which he described as purposeful and committed to repositioning the country.
