Otunba
Gbenga Daniel, former Governor of Ogun State, has quit partisan politics.
He has also resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In his
letter to the national chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, Daniel said he
decided to leave the scene to “rejuvenate my charity based organization, the Gateway
Front Foundation (GFF) which will literally continue to dispense succor to our
people in need, address and assist in the areas of some of their health
challenges.
“I also plan on resuscitation of the non-partisan Political Leadership Academy
(POLA) which I established some years ago as a platform of political education
to our citizens.”
Full
text of letter below
The
National Chairman,
Peoples Democratic Party,
Wadata Plaza, Michael Okpara Street
Wuse Zone II, Abuja
*Attention: Prince Uche Secondus*
Mr.
Chairman,
*Resignation
from Partisan Politics*
This is to inform you of my intention to resign from active and partisan
politics with effect from today, the 14th day of March, 2019.
My decision in this regard is entirely personal to me and having served in
various capacities, including as Governor of Ogun State, I have resolved to
immerse myself in some other vocations and take on some new challenges.
*Preamble*
My Political Journey so far
I
joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State on Sunday, the 9th of
September, 2001 at an event which was described as one of the most ceremonial
political rallies in our recent political history in the South Western part of
Nigeria. We rose from that rally to create a highly robust and effective
political campaign machinery which resulted in an electoral victory for the
Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State in 2003; this movement and vibration
affected the politics of the region positively with a victory in five (5)
states of the South West.
2. I served as Governor of Ogun State for eight (8) years and our
administration till today remains a point of reference in terms of physical,
social, economic, educational and human capital development since the State was
created in 1976.
3.
Notwithstanding these widely acclaimed achievements however, our party, the
Peoples Democratic Party ran into trouble waters towards the end of our
administration (about the year 2009) which led to the sad loss in the election
of 2011, and regrettably ten (10) years after the party has been unable to
resolve those internal disputes and challenges.
4.
Meanwhile, the PDP in Ogun State was confronted with a very difficult situation
in matter of choice. Whereas the national leadership of our party, recognized
one candidate for the 2019 election, by court pronouncements another candidate,
and in compliance with those court orders, which the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) recognized was on the INEC list. The candidates
recognized by INEC were not acceptable to the national leadership of the party.
Our situation was then compounded because the candidate which the court and
INEC recognized and accepted as valid has also been expelled by the party. This
was the dilemma we found ourself as we approached the March 9, 2019 Governorship
and State House of Assembly elections.
5. Going forward, we have responded to the yearnings of our people and joined
others in emplacing an administration that we believe will better serve the
interests of our people than what currently exists. The rest they say is now
history.
6. I
must say that looking back, I do not have any regrets over that patriotic
choice and decision, especially as several of our citizens, leaders and
stakeholders in the state and outside have commended that singular action. Many
stakeholders within and outside Ogun State feel fulfilled, excited and grateful
about our decision to join others in putting a stop to a regime that was
believed to be against the collective and general welfare of our people.
7. Let
me also add, that in the last few months, I have had one of the rare privileges
of traveling round the entire length and breadth of our great country on at
least two occasions; the first being during my campaigns to become the National
Chairman of our great party, and later as the Director General of the Atiku
Presidential Campaign Organization (APCO).
8. I must sincerely admit that in the course of all these travels, I have built
a network of contacts, of friends and associates in a mutually rewarding
relationships which I cherished most and greatly too. I am therefore persuaded
that I have fewer points to make and prove in my Political journeys in partisan
politics.
9. My
decision to quit partisan politics notwithstanding, I have decided to
rejuvenate my charity based organization, the Gateway Front Foundation (GFF)
which will literally continue to dispense succor to our people in need, address
and assist in the areas of some of their health challenges; I also plan on
resuscitation of the non-partisan Political Leadership Academy (POLA) which I
established some years ago as a platform of political education to our
citizens.
10.
Without doubt, I will miss the company of my friends and associates and all
those relationships I built in the course of the years all over the country..
While I crave for your kind understanding, accept assurances of my highest
regards.
Yours
faithfully,
Otunba
(Engr.) Gbenga Daniel, FNSE, FNAEng
Governor of Ogun State (2003-2011).
Cc:
His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar GCON
Chairman, Board of Trustees (PDP)