DANIEL POLITICAL NIGHTMARE
By Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji
This may not be the best time and period for the Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel in his political career, following barrage and incessant attack on him from number of quarters.
Ironically, the war against the governor is coming from his own territory and the political empire, and the now prominent is coming from his former chief press secretary, Wale Adedayo and house of assembly.
Adedayo who resigned from Daniel cabinet is throwing serious bombshell against his former boss, over alleged assassination attempt on his life on January 10, 2009, a development which forced him to flee the country, but later returned.
On return the ex-governor spokesman was relieved of his post, with a new appointment, as Consultant on International Affairs, but surprisingly, few days later, Adedayo relocate to Lagos and on Monday, February 9, 2009, he addressed a press conference and shocked the nation, insisting that attempt on his life has been traced to the government he served.
“My return to Nigeria from about seven days holiday last month in the U.K. was to assure those fretting in Abeokuta , the Ogun State capital that despite the evil meant for me, it is not my intention to work in tandem with others against their interest”.
He added “Principle for some of us is a matter of life and death. We do not compromise. We do not change sides like wrappers. Whatever we believed in yesterday is what we believe today and will also believe tomorrow till God calls us home. We do not worship individuals or institutions. It is our conscience and cherished principles that matter in the discharge of quality service in the course of duty”.
The angry Adedayo said, it was clear from the on-going that his former boss does not trust him again, “There are many allegations against me. Apart from printing and circulating leaflets on behalf of Senator Iyabo Obasanjo against the system, I have been severally accused of leaking information to persons opposed to the Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel”.
He declared that, it was God who saved him from being killed, stressing that “My petition was to the Almighty and He proved Himself more than able as He had promised me since last year”.
The former Daniel image-maker, emphasized that, in view of the worsen situation, he had to call it quit, “It is nothing new that the relationship between a principal and Consultant breaks down. But either of the parties should be honourable enough to call it quits, which was what I did last week, despite the ziggy appointment announced with my name”
“I do not want to go the way of Dele Giwa, because I know the capacity there. I also do not want to lose any member of my immediate family over something I know nothing about”.
As if that, would be the end of the story, the Ogun State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Kayode Samuel was alleged to have posted reaction into website, faulting Adedayo claim, that he probably made up the story to stop from being sacked by the governor.
Furious about this Adedayo did not waste time in releasing another bombshell, saying “I think you want this to be swept under the carpet. It won’t just wash that way. I'll raise some points with the issues you raised, because I can now see that you people have no conscience at all.
Adedayo who still maintain that, assassins were sent after his life, told Samuel bluntly “How stupid and brainless can you become?” stressing that, even Samuel colleague in Ministry of Youth and Sports, Bukola Olopade, known as Ozogula established the fact that, it was assassins job.
According to Adedayo “Even Ozogula, using a number different from his official line, called me and agreed it was an assassin's job. His only request was that I save the system from embarrassment. This came from somebody who should know, instead of you who think you are inside because you are invited for occasional inner meetings.
He added further that, “When Ozogula was insisting on my keeping quiet, I just sent him a text ending with "Makan makan l'oye nkan. If this can happen to Wale Adedayo
who is inside ..." He did not bother me again after that, because I believe he understands the implication of my statement to him.
The embittered ex-CPS said what the authority was again doing was to destroy his reputation, which he would not allow, revealing that he never beg to take the job of Chief Press Secretary, but rather it was Daniel who begged him.
His words “You people that are trying to destroy me and my reputation have forgotten that it was with serious pleading and begging from the Governor I accepted to be his CPS”.
“He sent a text to me from China , which you can confirm from Mr. Dupe Ashama, who was with me in Excellence Hotel, Ogba, Lagos then. The text is still there. I'll divulge
the contents at the appropriate time.
Warning that nothing evil should happen to him and his family,alleging that second plot to get read of him was in the pipeline, Adedayo told Daniel in clear terms “nothing should happen to my family and I. As God lives, I have put the lives of my family and I on the line for you not too long ago, and many times too. I don't care if you do appreciate it. But please look back at all the good things I've done for you. You have children too. He emphasized further “I will react in the event of a second attack. A number of those close to you might be affected.
Adedayo added"Please and please, call off the attack dogs. If not, ... Don't let me
write sir. It will be very terrible unless they succeed this time around. If they don't succeed in taking me out, I repeat, I'll come after their principal and the rest of them with everything God has given me to fight with. I've been patient enough.
Ironically, as this expensive attack on Daniel from his former kitchen cabinet member was biting harder, members of the state house of assembly threw another attack on him alleging threat to their lives by the governor.
The lawmakers numbering 15 out of the 25 members and led by the Speaker, Tunji Egbetokun in a three-page dated Februaray 10, 2009 petitioned the President of the Senate and Inspector General of Police, raising alarm tha t many killer-squads have been formed by unnamed government functionaries in the state.
The lawmakers who all signed the petition pleaded passionately with the Senate President to save their souls, stressing that they had adjourned plenary session of the Assembly indefinitely until their security is guaranteed.
The petition reads in part: "We the under-listed members of the Ogun State House of Assembly find it alarmingly imperative and expeditiously important to write this Save Our Soul following recent developments in Ogun State which have reached a fever pitch such that it calls for serious concerns and safety for our dear lives.
"Ardent and keen watchers of events in the state would almost effortlessly recollect that the state has witnessed a stream of assassination attempts on key personalities in the state recently. To mention just a few, Chief (Mrs.) Alaba Lawson’s house was attacked in dire circumstances in which her guard was mercilessly killed. Also people were killed at the PDP Secretariat in what seems like a premeditated and pre-arranged killing. The resultant melee left two people dead”.
The petitioners added "Not quite long, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Wale Adedayo, was attacked in muffled circumstances. Reasons so far adduced to explain it away stand logic on its head.
"There exists now in Ogun State many killer squads controlled and funded by certain government functionaries and politicians. These devilish groups are always at the beck and call of their patrons to perpetrate illicit and nefarious activities. This accounts for why many notable politicians and top government functionaries have lost their voices especially when such a voice is in sharp contrast to that of the governor.
"But since the House of Assembly as a legislative arm is a creation of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria alongside other arms-the Executive and the Judiciary.’
We have constitutional roles. We however make bold to say that nobody can beat us into submission. Thank God that attempt in the past to achieve this was rendered nugatory especially when some hired assassins came in the company of the Governor’s Chief of Staff to kill our Honourable Speaker. The case has since gone into oblivion as nothing has been heard about it since then."
The petitioners also cited a situation where the Speaker’s ADC was assaulted by the Aide-de-Camp to the governor. "As part of his designs to frustrate the leadership, there was an occasion where the Governor’s ADC, in the presence of the governor, slapped the Speaker’s Orderly. To this day, not a word of rebuke came from our Excellency."
Apart from intimidation, the lawmakers also accused the governor of disregarding the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and ignoring laws passed by the Assembly. They alleged that the governor had been contemptuous of the leadership of the Assembly.
The letter reads; "Other machinations adopted by the governor to paralyse the workings of the House include total disregard for the constitution and laws of Nigeria and Ogun State respectively. For instance, the House of Assembly has passed several laws which have not been implemented by the governor in defiance of the laws of the land.
"To mention just a few, the House of Assembly Service Commission and House of Assembly Self-Accounting laws passed since 2003 have not been implemented. Yet both laws, among others, were assented to by the governor. Indeed, there is an avalanche of unimplemented laws in Ogun State . The governor selects which law to implement.
They alleged that the governor had been hostile "since there had been leadership change in the House of Assembly. "He (the governor) is known to have vowed to destabilise the House by adopting such cruel, uncivilised and inimical strategies as starvation of funds, intimidation and harassment of Honourable members, organising false and obsequious rallies on the inexcusable pretext of wanting to remove him.
"It is in the light of our love for our state and her people that we have refused the overtures of the governor to take an oath with him lest he would not recognise the present leadership of the House of Assembly."
The legislators pleaded with the President of the Senate, the Inspector –General of Police and all good citizens of Ogun State to "prevail on the governor not to shed our blood."We do not want to cry when it is too late. We do not want our families to be thrown into mourning just for performing our official functions. We have decided to come into the open like this so that in case anyone of us is killed, the sources can be easily traced and known."
"We have however, in the face of all these fear and trepidations thought it wise to adjourn from plenary indefinitely to go on constituency tour as we believe we are safer in our different constituencies than in our official quarters." There was no official reaction from the state government as at press time.
However, my further investigation has also revealed that successor fight is another problem Daniel is facing internally. He is said to have soft spot for the Ogun West Senatorial Distrcit, comprising the Yewa/Aworis, said not to have ever rule the state since its creation.
Daniel position on this is welcome in some quarters, but the clause of the matter according finding is that, the Yewa/Aworis does not want a situation where the governor will impose a candidate on them.
A leader of the Distrcit was quoted "We appreciate his concern for us, but the point is that, he should let us choose our choice candidate, and not lord anybody on us"
In another development, some politicians in Ogun Central which comprises the Egbas, were said not to be in line with Daniel Yewa/Awori agenda ahead of 2011, arguing that, no constitution allows that, rather all interested parties should go to the field for the election.
Meanwhile, critically examined the whole senario, it is a known fact and blunt truth, that the governor at this point in time, not having the best time. It is a nightmare which may need spiritual solution.
Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji is Zonal Secretary, Nigeria Union of Journalists{NUJ} sent in this piece from Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital. Nigeria
