Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, yesterday, said he was part
of those that aided his predecessor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel to claim
indigeneship of Ogun State in 2003.
According to Amosun, Daniel was an indigene of Isoko in Delta State,
but, requested for assistance from him and some other unnamed persons
to get a family house in Sagamu ahead of his 2003 governorship
ambition in the state.
Amosun spoke yesterday, at Odeda Local Government in continuation of
his local government tour which began on Tuesday.
The governor was reacting to allegations levelled against his
administration by Daniel when the latter was at Odeda penultimate
week.
Daniel had accused Amosun of selling off all the farmlands in the area
to other states, claiming Amosun's administration had short-changed
the people of Odeda.
According to Amosun, "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 were like them, we are not.
"We are not bastards from Isoko. They came to us then, we are the one
they ran to and we helped them to get where they are claiming today as
their home. Although, it was not time for political campaign, yet, I
will not hesitate to respond to Daniel's allegations which he levelled
against my administration here in the same Odeda Local Government.
"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 like
them.
They will not be able to stand and campaign for vote here in Odeda by
the time I start exposing them. They are treasure looters. If not for
the type of the country we are, they ought to have covered their heads
in shame rather than boast around the town."
In a swift reaction, former governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel
described the statement credited to Amosun on his nativity status as
diversionary.
Daniel in a statement by his media aide, Ayo Giwa said: "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 23 February, 2002, Otunba 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 Otunba 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 APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed
Tinubu."
"Has he quickly forgotten that Otunba 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 challenge 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."
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