•Daniel not an Ogun indigene —Amosun
•That’s an insult —Daniel
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has on Wednesday declared that the state former governor, Gbenga Daniel, is not a citizen of the state.He also vowed to expose how he and others, allegedly assisted Daniel to claim to be an indigene of Sagamu, when the former governor wanted to contest the governorship position in the state, in 2003.
In his reaction, Daniel described Amosun’s statement as an insult to his people in Sagamu, saying that he is a freeborn citizen of Makun, Sagamu.
The former governor in a statement issued by his Media Officer, Mr Ayo Giwa, said his successor’s statement was a taboo and effrontery on the traditional institution in Remoland.
Amosun said this, during his second day assessment tour to Odeda Local Government Area of the state in continuation of his tour of the local government areas in the state.
The governor, reacting to the allegations leveled against him by Daniel, penultimate weekend that the present administration had sold off all the farm settlements in the state claimed that Daniel is an Isoko man, contrary to the claim that he is an indigene of Ogun State, alleging that Daniel mortgaged the farm settlement under the guise of concession.
Daniel in his reaction stated further that, “It is now glaring that the clock is fast ticking towards electoral defeat, hence his attempt to stand history on its head by reverting to the same scenario that played itself out, some 12 years ago.
Daniel added that the statement that Gbenga Daniel is not from Sagamu is an insult on the entire good people of the historical town of Sagamu as well as a taboo and effrontery on the traditional institutions in the land, especially the thrones of the Akarigbo of Remoland, as well as the Ewusi of Makun, in Remo Kingdom.
“Precisely on Saturday February 23, 2002, Gbenga Daniel was made the Aare Asoludero of Makun Sagamu, with traditional rites performed by the Late Ewusi, Oba Efuwape Ogunsowo, Inanuwa II. To all intents and purposes, Oba Ogunsowo declared that Daniel was a freeborn of Makun in Sagamu and of the Ojelobaye family origin. Prominent among those, who were present on that occasion was the former Governor of Lagos State and the leader of the Alll Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Has he quickly forgotten that Daniel also holds the traditional title of the Arole of Remoland as well as many across the State?
Amosun said, “When they came into power,the farmlands were over 60,when we came in, it remains only five. 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 a bastard.
“They came to us then, we were the ones that helped them get to where they are claiming today as their home. Although, this is not the time for political campaign, yet I will not hesitate to respond to Daniel’s allegations which he leveled against me and my administration here in Odeda local government.
Amosun said, “He is envious of our achievements and successes recorded within the past few years. We need to let them know that we are not thieves. They will not be able to stand and campaign for votes here in Odeda by the time I start exposing them.”
Daniel added that Amosun must answer all the questions raised on how his administration because of political vendetta abandoned the multi-billion dollar Olokola Free Trade Zone project, adding that Amosun’s claim of selling off some assets of the state was a cheap blackmail.
“The people of Ogun State are saying it loud and clear that they are tired of this government of deceit and lies. He should tell us why Shell, British Gas and the Dangote group left Ogun State as posers raised by his predecessor, which he is yet to react to. This is what the good people of Ogun State want to know.
“He should stop pulling wool over the eyes of the people. Until he answers that, all others are diversionary. As the governor of Ogun State, why did he not institute a probe to look into the concessions? He has all the machinery of government at hand so what is he waiting for?
“That Daniel sold all the State’s patrimony is in itself cheap blackmail. Is concession not different from outright sale? What has happened to the companies since he came to power some three and a half years ago? Why did he not attempt to revive them, if they are viable?
“The outburst from the incumbent is immature, he should address issues and not personalities. We are talking of a clueless government while he keeps attacking the personality of Gbenga Daniel in his three years and a half years of governance without any meaningful economic development,” the statement added.
Source: Tribune
