I went through hell under Amosun But He Is Now Repentant, Says Daniel

 

Former governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State has revealed that he went through hell under his successor in office, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

According to the senator representing Ogun East,  he witnessed enfant terrible successor as a result of the political rivalry that once existed between him and Amosun.

Daniel, who stated this while recounted his ordeal with Amosun in his short remarks during his 70th birthday thanksgiving service held at Abraham’s Tabernacle in Sagamu, however, said such crisis is now in the past.

The former governor explained that at the centre of the political differences was the fact that Amosun was in a hurry to become governor, adding that there was nothing anyone, including himself, could do to stop his dream.

He added that because he had not been seen to support Amosun’s governorship ambition, the former governor wasted no time moving against him and subjecting him to a witch-hunt when he eventually succeeded him in May 2011.

According to him, both former leaders had mended fences and put their past political differences behind them, and are now focused on working for the further development of the state and the country at large.

“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.

“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”Daniel said.

Daniel and Amosun were political allies, and while the senator was serving his first term as the governor of the state from 2003 to 2007, Amosun, elected on the same platform of PDP, was representing Ogun Central at the Senate.

However, Daniel’s eyes on the second term reportedly made the two political allies fall apart in the build-up to the 2007 governorship election.

Amosun pulled away from the PDP and contested against Daniel on the platform of the All Nigeria People’s Party but lost the election to Daniel, who was then seeking his second term.

Amosun eventually succeeded Daniel after clinching his governorship victory in the 2011 election, defeating Gboyega Isiaka of the Peoples Party of Nigeria, who was backed by Daniel.

Amosun, on assumption of office in May 2011, launched a probe of his predecessor’s administration, leading to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission charging Daniel to court on financial embezzlement to the tune of N7bn.

After years of standing trial, the court case was struck out, and Daniel was discharged and acquitted of about 15 charges levelled against him.