Incumbent And Former Governor Traded Words Over Originality

The Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and his immediate predecessor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel on Wednesday traded words over the latter’s state of origin.
The governor, who was on a working tour to Odeda Local Government Area of the state had said while addressing the crowd of party supporters that Daniel was not a native of Ogun State. He claimed the ex-governor was a Nigerian of Isoko extraction in Delta State.

He added that he was part of those who helped Daniel to become a Sagamu indigene. .

But Daniel said such a remark was an insult on the people of Sagamu, where he said he hailed from, as well as a taboo and an effrontery on its traditional institutions. 

Amosun was reacting to the allegations levelled against his administration by the former governor during a summit held at Odeda, in Odeda Local Government by the Labour Party two weeks ago. 

Daniel had accused Amosun of selling off all the farmlands in the area to other states.

He had said, “When I came into power in 2003, the first place we visited was Odeda and we recognised that agriculture was the mainstay of the economy, we therefore established 13 farm settlements. 

“Today, we are sorry that this present government has started selling our farmlands to other neighbouring states. 

“He is busy constructing roads and bridges and Alabata road which we did when we came in 2003, when I was coming today, I tried to check on the road, the road was very bad. I want to ask you people of Odeda, what has Amosun done for you here? He has been constructing bridges all over and nothing was done here for you. He neglected you.” 

Amosun, who was visibly angry, maintained that he was among those that assisted Daniel to claim Sagamu indigeneship when he wanted to contest the governorship seat in the state in 2003. 

The incumbent governor described Daniel as a prodigal son, who sold off all the patrimonies of the state under fake concession agreement. 

He particularly mentioned Apoje Farm Settlement, which he said the former governor had sold to a former commissioner in Lagos State at a ridiculous amount.

He said, “When they came into power, the farmlands were over 60 it remains only five… God will punish them all. Our forefathers will never forgive them and the generations coming will also curse them. They thought we are like them ,we are not, we are not … from Isoko.”

Daniel, who reacted through his media aide, Mr. Ayo Giwa, said, “Precisely on Saturday, February 23, 2002, Otunba Gbenga Daniel was made the Aare Asoludero of Makun Sagamu with traditional rites performed by the late Ewusi, HRH Oba Efuwape Ogunsowo, Inanuwa II. To all intents and purposes, Oba Ogunsowo declared that Otunba Daniel was a freeborn of Makun in Sagamu and of the Ojelobaye family origin.”