“I now see myself as an old man who should be more matured and responsible,” OGD@60

Gbenga Daniel

Former Governor of Ogun State and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Otunba Gbenga Daniel has reiterated his commitment towards nation building and the future of generations yet unborn.
He stated this while speaking with select online journalist at his Asoludero Court in Sagamu, Ogun State.


The successful businessman and engineer who will turn 60 years old on 6th April, 2016, impressed his passion for the youths on participants at the media interaction, saying he is more concerned about his legacy for the young ones.

Gbenga Daniel

Towards this, he says he has established a polishing school for future leaders. Otunba Daniel created The Political Academy; an Academy he has used to train thousands of youth teaching them about the history of the country and political process.

“At 60, it’s not about me any longer, but about legacy, about youths that are coming behind and about nation building though not sounding political,” Otunba Daniel stated.

Though the event wasn’t to review political happenings in the state and country in general, he touched on some recent happenings in the country.

On the controversial Treasury Single Account, TSA, Otunba Daniel who likened it to a distraction stated that he ran a good government without it.

“I have heard people talk about TSA. I don’t understand what the whole process is all about. I didn’t operate TSA in Ogun State and we ran a good government for eight years.”

“And five years after I left government in the most hostile takeover in the history of governance in this country, nobody has been able to prove that a dime of government money is missing.”

“And I am still standing here in my house, asking my persecutors to show it and prove it. I keep asking people to tell me, show it, and prove it.”

“My successor inaugurated several panel to investigate my administration but they came up with nothing. In fact, rather than indict me, the various report were in praise of my administration.

“I feel proud today. Five years after I walk tall. I still told my Finance Commissioner I am happy that nobody in OGD’s administration has been arraigned for anything. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

“It is only OGD that has been arraigned for land grabbing and things like that. We thank God if all OGD did, according to them, was to grab land for Ogun people who are living in Lagos to come home and develop, I am happy. We have a lot of land in Ogun, anyway.”

Engineer Daniel who became an Otunba in Ile Ife, Osun State at the age of 32, on his attaining the golden age of 60 gave thanks to God for being alive till this day.

“I must give thanks to God, if there’s anything that I worry about at all, It’s the fact that the quality of life should have been better than it is today.”

On what he will do differently now that he is 60, Otunba Daniel said “It’s time to mellow down and relax a little, truth be told, I think I’ve been more of a workaholic all my life and It’s time for me to soft pedal cause I can’t keep up with the fast pace anymore”.

Gbenga Daniel and his business partner in Kristal Laurel

I also “appeal to the youths to open their eyes wide, be strong minded and never be used easily.”
When asked if he’s got any regret or painful moment, OGD said, “The day I will never forget in my life was the day I was arraigned in court in Abeokuta. Some students sponsored by the government that were singing abusive songs outside the court. They were calling me a thief. They said I took $3m of state funds, N1bn of local government funds but they were lies.”

But at 60, “I now see myself as an old man who should be more matured and responsible,” Otunba Gbenga Daniel said.