Former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Gbenga Daniel, on Monday taunted his successor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, describing him as an “enfant terrible successor.”
Daniel, popularly known as OGD, said Amosun was in a hurry to become governor by opposing his second-term bid in 2007.
Daniel served as governor of the state for two terms between 2003 and 2011 and was succeeded by Amosun, who also served for eight years between 2011 and 2019.
Both were friends before Daniel became governor in 2003, but fell apart when Amosun contested against Daniel, who was seeking a second term in 2007.
While Amosun lost to Daniel in 2007, the political rivalry peaked in 2011 when OGD was exiting power.
The long-standing feud was marred by bitter rivalry, struggles for power, and allegations and counter-allegations between the two parties.
Against Daniel’s will, Amosun defeated his anointed candidate, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka of the People’s Party of Nigeria (PPN), and governed the state for eight years.
The two political leaders reconciled after Amosun left power in 2019.
Speaking at his well-attended 70th birthday church service in Sagamu on Monday, Daniel taunted Amosun, who was in attendance, as an “enfant terrible successor.”
The Senator representing Ogun East noted that he started the journey together with Amosun, but he was in a hurry to be governor, referencing the genesis of the duo’s political rivalry.
“Let me appreciate the former governors who are here today, especially the one they call Ajiri, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, enfant terrible successor of mine.
“He gave me hell. We thank God that with the prayers of our clergymen, he is now repentant. Ibikunle, thank you very much,” Daniel said, throwing the audience into laughter.
He added: “We started the race together, but you were too much in a hurry. That was all that happened. And I have told people that you are what we call Ajagungbade. You fought and won. There is nothing we can do about it.”
Speaking with newsmen on clocking 70, Daniel said he felt happy and fulfilled.
“I feel that I have not served the state in vain. I feel appreciated. Today is one of my happiest days,” he said.
Going forward, the former governor said he will recommit himself to the emancipation of the people.
“I have stood with them in the last 25–30 years of my life, and I have seen that, at the end of the day, they are a set of appreciative people.
“I’m happy that many of them have become important personalities in society. That gives me joy. So what I’ll continue to do is to continue to serve the people with the rest of my life,” he said.
The church service had in attendance Osun State Governor, Senator Demola Adeleke; Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele; the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja; and the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi.
Daniel’s colleague senators, former appointees and aides, former governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ladi Adebutu, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, among other personalities, graced the occasion.
Delivering the sermon, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, described Daniel as “an exceptional politician and original Omoluwabi.”
Adeboye pointed out that Daniel, as governor, stood out as an exceptional leader and never played politics with religious bodies in the state.
Adeboye said, “Our beloved Gbenga Daniel was a governor in Ogun State, and I have been living in the state since 1983. I have been through the hands of many governors, including the military, but I want to say that Otunba Gbenga Daniel has been quite exceptional.
“In dealing with the church of God, he has not played politics with the church of God; he has not played politics with any one of us. He has fulfilled every promise he made. He is not the type that will make a promise in the first term and fulfill it in the second term.
“If you are looking for an original Omoluwabi, Gbenga Daniel is one, and people like him are quite few,” he said.
Taking his message from the book of Psalm 90:12, Adeboye pointed out God’s instruction for humans to always count their days on earth in order to be on the path of wisdom.
He asked people to be conscious of their sojourn in life because they are bound to give an account of their deeds one day when confronted with their Maker.
He said, “From the day you are born, you begin a journey back to your exit on earth. Every journey has an end, and at the end, you will give an account. We are all on a compulsory journey of accountability.”
Adeboye urged Nigerians to cultivate a genuine relationship with God, noting that the fear of God remains the foundation of wisdom.