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Tag: Gbenga Daniel

  • JUST IN: Buhari receives new APC members; Ex-Gov Daniel, Ex-Speaker Bankole [Photo]

    JUST IN: Buhari receives new APC members; Ex-Gov Daniel, Ex-Speaker Bankole [Photo]

    President Muhammadu Buhari has received newly defected All Progressives Congress (APC) members – Former House of Representatives Speaker; Dimeji Bankole and Former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel at the State House.

    They were accompanied by the Governor of Yobe State who is also the Chairman, Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the APC, Jigawa, and Kebbi State governors who presented them as new members of the party to President Buhari on Monday.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Gbenga Daniel was governor of Ogun State from 2003 to 2011, while Dimeji Bankole was the Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2007-2011 both on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Gbenga Daniel during his defection earlier in February said his decision to join the party was well-thought-out and he called on fellow Nigerians to join hands with the Federal Government and rebuild the socio-economic fortunes of the country.

  • Gov. Abiodun, Amosun, Daniel mourn Buruju Kashamu

    Gov. Abiodun, Amosun, Daniel mourn Buruju Kashamu

    The governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has described the death of Senator Buruji Kashamu, on Saturday, as “one death too many. ”

    Abiodun in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, said the passage of Kashamu, who contested with him alongside other candidates in the 2019 governorship election was a devastating blow to the nation’s political circle.

    Governor Abiodun said: “I received the sad news of the passing of Senator Buruji Kashamu today, 8 August 2020, with a deep pain and grief that words cannot capture. On behalf of my family, the government and good people of Ogun State, I convey our deepest condolences.

    “Although we belonged to different political persuasions, and disagreed on most issues, Senator Kashamu will nonetheless be remembered for his assertive presence in the political arena and uncommon doggedness.

    “He fought myriad of wars with every breath in his soul in the defence of whatever he believed in and for his personal freedom. Hate him or love him, he could not be easily ignored.”

    Senator Amosun prayed that the Almighty Allah will forgive Kashamu’s earthly sins and give him eternal rest.

    He expressed condolences to the nuclear and political family members of the late founder and financier of the Omo Ilu Foundation, the Ijebu Igbo Community, and Ogun State as a whole.

    Similarly, former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, expressed gladness that he was able to forgive late Buruji Kashamu, before he died.

    “I picked a Timeless lesson of how transient life can be from this sad occurrence. I am glad despite all our years of political disagreements, conflicts and turbulence, by the hands of Providence my heart found a rare opportunity of forgiving and making up with him before his untimely death,” Daniel said.

    He prayed God his family the fortitude to bear the loss.

  • Gbenga Daniel speaks on loyalty to Atiku, alleged romance with APC, others

    Gbenga Daniel speaks on loyalty to Atiku, alleged romance with APC, others

    Former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel has reiterated his exit from his party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and by extension partisan politics.

    However, the former governor has come under ridicule amongst opposition figures, amidst allegations of betrayal after announcing a sudden retirement from politics only to start consultation with the All Progressives Congress.

    Recall that Daniel, a top strategist for Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign, recently wrote a letter to Uche Secondus, the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, announcing his urgent retirement from politics.

    He cited no political reason for his move, which many of his PDP associates received with shock, only saying he felt he had achieved all that was needed in politics and it was time to focus on his charity works.

    However, to the rude shock of many, on Sunday morning, barely 24 hours after his resignation notice, Daniel was seen holding talks with APC leaders at his residence.

    He later issued a statement saying his supporters were clamouring for his move to the APC, especially because he directed them to support APC’s Dapo Abiodun at the governorship election earlier this month.

    Many in the PDP said they saw through Daniel’s plot, which was not unique as many politicians had deployed such purported demands of their followers to move across political parties.

    In a swift response to the issues emanating from his resignation and subsequent romance with the ruling APC, Daniel in a statement on Tuesday afternoon he was only dissociating from the PDP and not Atiku, ”and had no plan to join the APC”.

    “I have not, will not and will never abandon Atiku,” Mr Daniel said.

    “Atiku is different from PDP. I have resigned from PDP and lost interest in partisan politics having put in about 20 years of my life in a thankless process.

    “I will commit my God-given resources to help the less privileged through my Foundation and will contribute to sharing the body of knowledge through our not-for-profit political academy. That will be a thankful process.

    “I will continue to support the political process in a non-partisan manner. I am clear with my position, without any ambiguity.

    “There is no need to insinuate, speculate, extrapolate, anticipate or draw conclusions on my behalf. I did not expect such a simple personal decision can generate such national discourse and for that, I remain grateful to God. I am however most grateful to all my friends and well-wishers,” he said.

  • Gbenga Daniel considers joining APC few hours after quitting PDP, partisan politics

    …says I can’t refuse my supporters demands

    Barely twenty four hours after resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) quitting partisan politics for a much more worthy course, thousands of former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel’s supporters Sunday pleaded with him not to quit active partisan politics.

    The supporters, who met with Daniel at his “Asoludero Hall”, within his home in Sagamu GRA, Ogun State, protested that his resignation from politics got to the media without the former governor first consulting them.

    The loyalists, who took turn to speak, hinged their demands on the fact that their efforts contributed to the emergence of Prince Dapo Abiodun, as the state’s governor-elect on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).

    One of the top loyalists, Ifekayode Akinbode, led other members to prostrate for Daniel with the women holding his legs, pleading passionately that he should lead them into APC.

    Daniel, who governed Ogun State on the ticket of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for eight years, convened the stakeholders’ meeting of his loyalists under the aegis of the “OGD Political Family” at his Sagamu home, to formally announce his withdrawal from partisan politics.

    He explained that his foray into politics was accidental and necessitated by the need to “awaken the sleeping giant” – Ogun State – from slumber. Having met that need, Daniel said it was important that he leaves the stage when the “ovation is loudest”.

    Daniel also lamented that he had been “battered,” “bruised” and “called names because of politics”, hence his “resolve to quit at a time there is much outcries against sit tight leaders”.

    He also narrated how he failed at getting Ladi Adebutu as well as the governorship candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) Gboyega Nasir Isiaka to work together after the court had validated Senator Buruji Kashamu as the PDP gubernatorial candidate.

    The former governor also lamented that members of his political family failed to listen to him on a number of occasions.

    After their deliberations, the PDP senatorial candidate for Ogun Central during the just concluded 2019 general elections put the matter to a voice vote whether to choose between remaining in PDP or joining the APC.

    But in unison, they all resolved to collectively join the APC.

    The declaration ignited a spontaneous chanting of the APC slogans “Change” and “Next Level”.

  • Ex-Ogun governor, Gbenga Daniel quits PDP, partisan politics

    A former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has expressed his intention to quit his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as involvement in partisan politics.

    The former governor made his intention known in a letter dates 14th of March, 2019 and addressed to the National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus.

    Daniel in the letter said the decision to quit partisan politics was personal to him.

    Recall that the former governor was the Director-General of Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organization before the former Vice President emerged as the presidential candidate of the PDP in the election conducted a few weeks ago.

    “This is to inform you of my intention to resign from active and partisan politics with effect from today, the 14th day of March, 2019

    My decision in this regard is entirely personal to me and having served in various capacities, including as Governor of Ogun State, I have resolved to immerse myself in some other vocations and take on some new challenges,” he said in the letter.

  • ‘Atiku will give SGF slot to South West’ – Campaign DG

    Chief Gbenga Daniel, Director General, Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation, says the position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) will go to the South West, if Atiku wins the presidency.
    Daniel, a former governor of Ogun, made the declaration in an interactive session with newsmen on Sunday in Lagos.
    Recall that the PDP had initially zoned its national Chairmanship to the South West, but later picked Uche Secondus from the South South.
    Also, Atiku’s running mate, Mr Peter Obi hails from the South East.
    “We need to understand that the candidate has control over who becomes his running mate during the election and who becomes the SGF if he wins.
    “The decisions on major offices are being given serious consideration and no zone or region will be marginalised.
    “The offices of Senate President and Speaker of the House of Reps will be decided after the polls and based on what plays out in both houses.
    “Aside from major slots, I think what is paramount to the people of the South West is restructuring of the country, which Atiku is very serious about.
    “So the issue for the South West is not personality or slot issue per say because personalities come and go but restructuring Nigeria is significant and more symbolic than zoned offices,” he said.
    On Atiku’s manifesto, Daniel said that it would be published as soon as the campaigns kick off.
     

  • 2019: How Buhari made Obasanjo change his mind about Atiku – Gbenga Daniel

    Director General, Atiku Campaign Organization, Gbenga Daniel, has hinted that President Muhammadu Buhari has likely made former President Olusegun Obasanjo change his position on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2019 presidential election.

    Daniel, while addressing a press conference in Lagos yesterday, said that faced with the option of Buhari and Atiku, the former Vice-President would undoubtedly prevail.

    He said, “When people take positions, they take them based on the information that is available to them.

    “And as this progresses, sometimes you now discover new things, you face new realities, I think that a number of people have been quite unhappy with the progression that has taken place.

    “People are facing a new reality, I won’t be surprised if Olusegun Obasanjo is starting to change his position. It does appear that if we are not careful, we will continue to retrogress in the quality of people that occupy political position.

    “I guess and I hope I am correct, President Obasanjo has seen it that maybe he has other information. And in any case when you are faced with a situation, you have to choose one of two evils.

    “I am aware that President Obasanjo said that he doesn’t think that Buhari will make a good president but at the last minute something happened, maybe he got better information he then changed his mind and if he has changed his mind on that occasion, I think he can also change his mind.”

  • 2019: Atiku appoints Gbenga Daniel presidential campaign DG

    Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has appointed a former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel to lead his 2019 presidential campaign in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

    Recall that in April, the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi was confirmed as the Director-General of the President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation for the 2019 elections.

    Daniel had contested for the position of national chairman of the party in the last convention.

    In a letter obtained by Daily Nigerian, which Atiku personally signed, the ex-VP announced that Daniel will have overall responsibility for personnel, resourcing and campaign staffing.

    The letter read in part, “I am pleased to officially notify you of the appointment of His Excellency, Otunba Gbenga Daniel (“OGD” as he is popularly known), as the Director-General of the Atiku Campaign Organisation.

    “OGD is a former two-term governor of Ogun State, and a foremost engineer, businessman and astute politician. He has vast knowledge of the Nigerian political terrain and has a wide network of contacts and friends all over Nigeria, and these are a few of the assets he will be bringing to our campaign organisation.

    “I am in no doubt OGD is a very positive and welcome addition to our campaign and I look forward to working with him as he leads over campaign to victory come February 2019.

    “Going forward, OGD as the Director General, has overall responsibility for every aspect of the campaign. This includes mobilization and organizing (delegates and supporters), publicity and communication, finance and expenditure. I am in the process of setting up a separate fundraising committee which will work alongside and complement the campaign finance structure.

    “The DG will also have overall responsibility for personnel, resourcing and campaign staffing and any other political or campaign-related matters, that I give my delegated authority.

    “From now on, my role will be limited to continuing my consultations with the relevant stakeholders in the PDP and in the political landscape as a whole. All campaign or other staff will report to the DG with immediate effect, and all campaign or political matters will also be referred to the DG.

    “The DG will report to me directly.”

  • BREAKING: Gbenga Daniel withdraws from PDP Chairmanship race

    Another aspirant to the office of the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Gbenga Daniel has withdrawn from the race.

    Daniel’s withdrawal from the race was contained in a letter to the Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee and Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, on Saturday.

    The letter, also copied to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the party, Senator Walid Jibril, reads: “As you are aware, in the last three months when I took the decision to contest for the post of the National Chairman of our great party, I have done what has been described in many quarters as most unprecedented.
    I traversed the length and breadth of our great country, in all the 36 states and the FCT, meeting with various stakeholders, leadership and party members, and setting up structures not just for my personal aspiration, but also to feel the pulse of Nigerians and test the strength and popularity of our party among the citizens.

    “It was another learning curve for me because I discovered that in spite of our widely publicized pockets of internal challenges, many Nigerians are sincerely and justifiably looking for a credible alternative to the ruling party, the All Progressive Congress (APC), and most happily, the Peoples Democratic Party is still being looked upon as that credible and acceptable alternative.

    “It was a great opportunity for me to spread the message of hope, renewing the confidence of not only our party members but also Nigerian citizens about our great party. I believe that I did what is expected of a loyal and committed party member to inject a new life into the party, refresh and reenergise it for optimum acceptance by the electorate.

    “We are a political party, and a democratic one at that. Contest for for offices are expected to be competitive and this is what we have demonstrated sufficiently with the good number of very credible aspirants who have shown interests in all the various offices of our National Executive Committee to steer the ship of our party to victory in 2019. No doubt, we have suffered huge losses, from the control of some 25 States into only 11 states, capped with the loss of the Presidency in 2015. This, to me is the greatest challenge before our party, and regaining this lost glory is more important to me than any aspiration for offices.

    “In order to sustain the new found peace and renewed confidence of Nigerians in our party and reduce the veiled but potential line of frictions, I consider it in the best interest the party to voluntarily withdraw from the Chairmanship race so that we can collectively look for and elect good leaders for the purpose of winning elections in 2019.

  • PDP chairmanship: I won’t step down my candidacy for anybody – Gbenga Daniel

    A national chairmanship aspirant of the PDP, Gbenga Daniel, said on Monday in Lagos that he had no plan of stepping down for any of the other contenders.

    Reacting to speculations that he might be stepping down for, Olabode George, another aspirant for the position, Daniel said he had no intention of stepping down for anybody.

    Mr. Daniel is a former Governor of Ogun, while Mr. George served as a former national deputy chairman of the now opposition PDP.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that with the zoning of the PDP’s chairmanship position to the South-west, five major contenders are currently jostling for the position.

    The other contenders are Jimi Agbaje, the 2015 governorship candidate of the PDP in Lagos State, Tunde Adeniran, a former Minister of Education and Taoheed Adedoja, a former Minister of Sports.

    Mr. Daniel told reporters that although Mr. George was a respected leader of the PDP, he would not back down for the Lagos chief but would see the race to its logical conclusion.

    “All the aspirants for this position are my friends and competent people but I am the bridge builder and the best man for the job.

    “I will not step down for anyone because I did my consultations during our convention in Port Harcourt and I know so many leaders in Yorubaland who support me.

    “People contest for various reasons. Some people contest to enrich their curriculum vitae, some contest to get donations while some run to win.

    “It is not a do-or-die affair. It is an in-house contest and I’m running to win so as to bring my experiences to bear on the party and work on re-positioning the party,” Mr. Daniel said.

    According to him, with 2019 around the corner, the PDP cannot afford to make mistakes in choosing its leaders because it is germane to the rebuilding of the party.

    “PDP is spread across the length and breadth of Nigeria. The fragmentation in the party cuts across all political parties in Nigeria.

    “However, most of our members who defected to other parties left, due to the internal challenges within it.

    “The moment those who leave see a new leadership committed to fairness and justice, they will return’’ the former governor said.

    On the PDP’s zoning of the presidential slot to the North, Mr. Daniel described the decision as sacrosanct, noting that it was common sense for the party to look for a candidate from the northern part of the country to square up with the APC.

    Speaking further, he debunked an alleged strife between him and Buruji Kashamu from Ogun, stating that they had no personal issues and that they had no quarrels.

    Mr. Daniel, however, expressed his support for the clamour for Nigeria to be restructured, arguing that the nation’s potential would be maximised when restructured.

    “We must begin to examine the system to give equal opportunities to all parts of the country,” he added.