Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel yesterday began his valedictory tour of the state saying he remains the longest serving governor since the creation of the state 35 years ago.
Mr Daniel also said he will continue to fight former President, Olusegun Obasanjo over who takes over from him on May 29, 2011.
Mr. Daniel who commenced his send forth ceremony from Imeko-Afon local government of the state said, “Today I have come here to stay thank you all, we started this journey about ten years ago. In about 100 days now, I will be handing over. I am very very grateful”. Addressing his party supporters during a town hall meeting which was followed with a rally in Imeko Town, the governor said he was optimistic that his faction will be victorious at the end of the day.
“Let me tell you nothing good come easy, justice can only be delayed, justice cannot be denied. I want you to stand firm; by God’s grace on May 29 I will hand over to Isiaka Gboyega. You must stand firm. Jesus has 12 discipiles. One of them is Judas Iscariot, and at present we have a number of Judas Iscariot, we also have doubting Thomases,” he said.
On the Obasanjo camp which produced Tunji Olurin as the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Mr. Daniel who was singing war songs, said, “Let me tell you something, they are toothless barking dogs, by the time we blow a whistle they would be jittery.
“Let me say this to you, PDP in Abuja has submitted Gboyega Isiaka’s name to INEC, the party has established that we conducted the party primaries, under the electoral act, and only parties can submit names of candidates.”
Admitting past relations
The governor said it was true that he had once approached Mr. Olurin to contest the governorship ticket, and Mr Olurin turned him down. He said he was shocked that the same man turned round to covet the position. “Truly I asked Olurin to come and contest for the governorship, but he said he was not interested, that he was ready to support and back whoever is put forward from Yewa/ Awori axis” the governor said. Mr Daniel said the most shocking aspect was that after the emergence of Mr. Isiaka as the aspirant for the party’s primaries, leaders of the party took him to Mr. Obasanjo for his blessing, but the former head of state threw them out of his home.
