Otunba Engr. Gbenga Daniel, a former Governor of Ogun State and Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, has categorically denied allegations that he did not support Senator Godswill Akpabio’s candidacy for the Senate Presidency in June 2023.
Addressing these claims in a recent interview, Daniel described them as baseless fabrications typical of political maneuvers in Nigeria.
Daniel clarified his longstanding and cordial relationship with Akpabio, stating that he had given his full support to Akpabio’s bid for Senate leadership.
“Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, is somebody that I have known and have had a first-class relationship with for decades. In fact, he was here in my house and we had discussed, and of course, he had 100% of my support,” he explained.
Daniel expressed disappointment over the misleading narratives and unfounded accusations that have become a part of political maneuvering in Nigeria.
He emphasized that his political approach is inclusive and that he maintains relationships with various political figures regardless of factional lines.
“People think that, oh, because you are supporting somebody, you cannot talk to somebody else. I don’t think that’s the way it should be,” he noted.
Highlighting his connections with other contenders for the Senate Presidency, Daniel mentioned his affiliations with Orji Kalu and Senator Abdulaziz Yari, both of whom he has known through various political and professional capacities.
“I think the mistake people are making is that my own politics is a bit different and I don’t grandstand maybe because I’ve seen it all. People think that, oh, because you are supporting somebody, you cannot talk to somebody else. I don’t think that’s the way it should be.
“All the people who wanted to be Senate president were my colleagues in a way. Some of them were governors. Orji Kalu was governor and an ally. I think between 2007 and 2011, we sat at the cabinet together. The other main contestant Senator Abdulaziz Yari from Zamfara, was at some point a Governor. I happened to be the Deputy Chairman of the former Governor’s Forum.”
The former governor of Ogun State pointed out the flawed logic behind the allegations, noting that his interactions with other candidates were misinterpreted.
“When people like that come looking for me, people may say, ah, we saw this man going there, therefore… They don’t even know whether what I was telling them was to support Akpabio. So it is part of the bad politics that our people play. There was absolutely nothing like that,” he remarked.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
