They think we’re like them, we are not from Isoko’ • ‘It’s an insult on Sagamu traditional institutions’ THE political rivalry between former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel, and his successor, Governor Ibikunle Amosun took a new dimension Wednesday as Amosun told his party (All Progressives Congress (APC) faithful that Daniel’s claim of being an indigene of the state is totally false. Amosun, who spoke during a working visit to the Odeda Local Government, said that at the appropriate time, he would expose how the former governor became an indigene of the state. Amosun said he was among those who assisted Daniel to claim to be an indigene of Sagamu during the time he (Daniel) was aspiring to contest the governorship seat of Ogun State in 2003. The governor was apparently reacting to allegations leveled against his administration by Daniel to the effect that he (Amosun) had sold off all the farmland in the local government area. Daniel, at a Labour Party (LP) summit in Odeda about two weeks ago told his audience that “When I came into power in 2003, the first place we visited was Odeda and we recognised that agriculture is the mainstream here, we therefore established 13 farm settlements. Today, we are sorry that this present government (under Amosun) has started selling our farmlands to other neighboring states. “He (Amosun) 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, it 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 has neglected you”. The former governor was alleged to have made other allegations against Amosun. But in his reaction yesterday, Amosun described Daniel as a prodigal son, who sold off all the patrimonies of the state under dubious concession agreements. He particularly mentioned the Apoje farm settlement, which he said Daniel sold to a former Commissioner in Lagos State, Ademola Adeniji Adele, at a ridiculous prize. He told the crowd: “When they (Daniel’s administration) came into power, farmlands in the state were over 60 but when we came in it had remained only five. Our forefathers will never forgive them and the generations coming will also curse them. They think we are like them, we are not. We are not from Isoko. “They came to us then, we were the ones they ran to and we helped them to get where they are claiming today as their home. Although, it wasn’t 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 the same Odeda Local Government.” The embittered Amosun stated further: “He (Daniel) is envious of our achievements and successes recorded within the past few years. We need to let them know that we are not like them. They will not be able to stand and campaign for vote here in Odeda by the time I start exposing them. If not for the type of the country we are, they ought to have covered their hands in shame rather than boasting around the town.” Anosun said contrary to claim by Daniel’s government that it left $10 million in the coffers of the state, only $1 million was left. “They are not happy because all the properties they took away, we have retrieved them. The hotels, farms, money and others have been collected back, we will do what is needful,” the governor disclosed. Amosun assured the people that the best farm settlement in the state would be located in the area in Alagbagba “and in two months now, I will be campaigning here in Alagbagba and I promised you, all the people of Odeda that in two weeks time, we will start work on the road from Olodo to Alagbagba.” But Daniel, in his response, asked Amosun to respond to issues he (Daniel) raised, insisting that “Until he answers that, all others are diversionary”. In a statement issued on his behalf by his media aide, Mr. Ayo Giwa, Daniel urged Amosun to “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? “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. “The statement that Otunba 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, 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 at that occasion was the former governor of Lagos State and leader of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Has he quickly forgotten that Daniel also holds the traditional title of the Arole of Remoland as well as many across the state? If he has respect and honour for traditional authorities and customs how dare he challenged such authorities? “That Otunba 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 and why did he not attempt to revive them if they are viable? The outburst from the incumbent is belated and immature. He should address issues and not personalities. We are talking of a clueless government while he keeps attacking the personality of Otunba Gbenga in his three and a half years of governance without any meaningful economic development.”
Posted on: Fri, 19 Sep 2014 11:39:17 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015