•Daniel
The Daily Crucible | Wednesday, October 5, 2022
By Heritage Odih, Abeokuta
The die is cast with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) giving its nod to registered political parties and listed candidates of the forthcoming 2023 general elections, particularly the presidential and national assembly candidates, to formally commence campaigns and marketing of their programmes to the electorate.
In Ogun East of the Gateway State in Southwest of Nigeria, the race for the district's seat is gaining momentum among the contenders.
The area made famous by its many illustrious sons, daughters and revered traditional rulers many of them alive including the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Ajalorun of Ijebu - Ife, Oba Ainofi Afolorunsho Oguntayo, Ebumawe of Ago - Iwoye, Oba AbdulRasaq Adenugba, Orimolusi of Ijebu Igbo, Oba Lawrence Adebajo, Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Yinusa Adekoya, the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, Otunba Mike Adenuga, notable industrialist and Asiwaju of Remoland, Chief Solomon Onafowokan, foremost businessman and philanthropist, Chief Kessington Adebutu, Olori Omooba of Ijebuland and founder of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Otunba Subomi Balogun and an industrialist, Chief Sulaimon Adegunwa, is ever desirous of quality representation in the Senate arm of the National Assembly.
Since the return of democracy in 1999, Biyi Durojaiye, Olatokunbo Ogunbanjo, Senator Lekan Mustapha, a former Deputy Governor Gbenga Kaka and Buruji Kashamu had represented the district in the National Assembly at different dispensations.
Earlier, late Afenifere leader; Abraham Aderigbigbe Adesanya (Unity Party of Nigeria), Chief Odunjirin Oladipo and Jubril Martins - Kuye(Social Democratic Party) had also represented Ogun East people in what is today referred to as the Red Chamber of the National Assembly while Senator Mustapha, a veteran of Ogun East politics, is presently savouring his second round in the Senate. Mustapha is among the tens of the nation's current Senators, including the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, who will not return after the expiration of the 9th Senate next year.
There seemed to be an unwritten agreement on how Ogun East Senatorial district produces its Senator - representative at any given time. The past senators were people who come from Ijebu extraction of the district with most of them emerging from Ijebu Igbo, a major town in Ijebu North Local Government Area of the state. Since 1999, Ijebu - Igbo has continued to occupy the seat back to back regardless of party in power, except between 2003 - 2007 where Tokunboh Ogunbanjo (PDP) from Erunwon community in Ijebu North East occupied the seat. The present sitting senator of Ogun East hails from Ijebu - Igbo.
Besides, a would - be - senator of the district often proceeds from a dominant party or ruling political platform in power but billionaire hotelier and PDP financier at the time, Senator Buruji Kashamu of blessed memory defied the odd and emerged East Senator in 2015 - 2019 on the ticket of PDP and at a time APC was firmly in control of the state. The feat was almost repeated in Engr. Sosanwo Adeola Ayoola, the PDP senatorial candidate for Ogun East in 2019. Ayoola nearly defeated Senator Lekan Mustapha of the ruling APC during the National Assembly election.
Will there be another Buruji Kashamu's example in 2023 as was the case in 2015? This is one question whose answer lies in the womb of time.
Already, eleven persons are jostling to succeed Senator Mustapha in 2023 ostensibly to represent the district that is made up of 9 Local Governments - six in Ijebu axis and three in Remo zone.
Following the latest list made available by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the 11 persons are candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Apostle Dave Oladapo Salako, African Democratic Congress (ADC); Adebanjo Adeniyi, Allied Peoples Movement (APM); Lawal Olanrewaju, Labour Party(LP); Banjoko Adesina and New Nigeria Peoples Party(NNPP), Adebanjo Wasiu.
The others are of the African Democratic Party(ADP) - Idris Olufunmilayo Adetutu, Action People's Party(APP) - Osiyoye Oluwatoyin Balikis, National Rescue Movement(NRM) - Kuku Adewale Stanley, Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) - Otemoye Damilare Adebayo and Social Democratic Party(SDP) - Adenaike Adewale Augustine.
A new dimension is about to creep into Ogun East. Former governor Daniel with all his clout from Remo extraction of Ogun East is the main contender in the race. He is doing so on the back of the ruling APC. If he wins, the zone will occupy both the Senate and governorship seats respectively at the same time. The incumbent governor Dapo Abiodun hails from Remo. He is seeking re-election in 2023 and with the field of play devoid of any other serious contender, the incumbent governor will most likely be re-elected.
It is not Daniel's fault or his making that there is no formidable opponent among other senatorial contestants. With possible exception of Hon. Dave Salako, a former lawmaker who at the time, enjoyed the blessings of Daniel to clinch the PDP's ticket in 2003 and 2007, to represent Remo Federal Constituency from 2003 to 2011 and perhaps Adewale Adenaike, who aspired to run for an elective office in 2007 on the platform of the then AD/AC platform but was unable to secure the party's ticket, other senatorial candidates for Ogun East 2023 are as obscure politically to the district as the political parties on which they seek election to represent their people.
The inescapable reality today is that the former two - term governor is technically the only candidate and contestant in the race to succeed Senator Lekan Mustapha.
Though, Apostle Salako(PDP), represented his constituents impressively and he was well received by the people but he can only present a feeble opposition to Daniel. Same for Adewale Adenaike of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Daniel is bringing rich experience, versatility, courage, intelligence, grassroots base, diplomacy, maturity, understanding of global affairs and efficient communication to the table of Ogun East. He once said the district had not been effectively represented in the National Assembly in relation to its potentials and the people's aspirations. Many are saying the senatorial hopeful already had his job well cut out for him if he wins the February 2023 Senatorial election. The fact that he is both an Ijebu and Remo person at the same time, makes his candidacy the most sellable among the pack of contestants and the man to beat.
A foretaste of the reckoning that Daniel is not a run - of - the - mill Senatorial candidate came on first Sunday of this October when he returned to Ita Oba, Sagamu, same ground he stood on 20 years ago to declare his governorship ambition. At Ita Oba, he formally kick- started campaign for his senatorial ambition.
The event held at the Akarigbo Palace witnessed the presence of APC chieftains from Ogun and Lagos states, including Chief Wale Edun, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Senator Gbenga Kaka, former deputy governors Alhaja Salmot Badru and Yetunde Onanuga, Chief Joju Fadairo and many others who served the state government during Daniel's 8 years reign in Ogun State. None of the other candidates can pull such a huge crowd or personalities in one stand. The crowd and its calibre were attestation to their long term friendship, bond and loyalty to the ex - governor.
Daniel who expressed satisfaction at the large turn out of people for the rally, recalled his many achievements in Ogun East and other parts of the state when he was governor, and urged the constituents to be peaceful about the forthcoming elections and shun any act of violence before, during and after the poll.
He said that the Electoral Act has put a stop to violence during elections while the use of Permanent Voter Card (PVC) is the magic that people now need to choose their leaders.
He described himself as a progressive and vowed to remain a progressive.
"It is not enough for you to collect the PVC, on the day of election, take your card and go-to your polling unit and vote for APC candidates. This is the right thing to do. Do not engage in any act that can cause violence which may lead to cancellation of your votes," he said.
Daniel also used the flag - off campaign to empower his constituents with a tractor, a Sport Utility Van, grinding machines, generators, sewing machines, hairdressing equipment and others materials in conjunction with Gateway Front Foundation (GFF). And if today holds the key to tomorrow, it should be taken as given that Otunba Gbenga Daniel is the next Senator for Ogun East in 2023. All indices point to that direction.
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