Daniel Begs Obasanjo

Gbenga Daniel,on Friday met with former President and Chairman Brd of Trustees

Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, on Friday met with former President and Chairman Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olusegun Obasanjo.

The two had been at loggerheads over whose faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State should present candidates for the April general election. 

Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), Kenny Martins and Kessington Adebutu as well as the Olubara of Ibara, Oba Jacob Omolade, who is also a childhood friend of the ex-President and schoolmate at the Baptist Boys High School (BBHS), Abeokuta, jointly brokered a peace parley.

 Emerging from a meeting at Obasanjo’s Presidential Hilltop in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, the former President said he had forgiven Daniel.

Speaking after the meeting, Daniel said he actually came to beg the former President saying, “What has happened today is the manifestation of the work of God and I want to seize the opportunity to thank all the elders and also thank baba for the opportunity of this meeting.

“I don’t have any doubt in my mind that we can work things out and I think what we have started to do today is the manifestation of better things to come. As you have always being aware, we have to sit down and find a lasting solution to the differences.”

When asked if he actually begged Obasanjo, he said: “Let me say this, I am a true Yoruba son. In Yorubaland it does not matter who is right or who is wrong, it is the younger person that will beg the older person. I have come to beg Baba and I will continue to beg him.”

A statement from the Ogun State Commissioner for Information, Sina Kawonise, later said the meeting was part of last minute efforts to ensure a hitch free visit of President Goodluck Jonthan’s visit to the state today.

According to the commissioner, “The visit, which was at the instance of some eminent personalities, took place at the residence of Chief Obasanjo. Earlier on erudite lawyer, Chief Afe Babalola, and Chief Adebutu Kessington visited the Governor at his Sagamu residence and later accompanied him to the residence of the former President. The meeting was successful and down-to- earth and discussion centered on how to ensure a hitch -free visit for the President and also commence a peace process for the party which has been embroiled in crisis for several months. Gov Daniel was urged to plead with the party members, majority of whom have left for another party, to return to PDP. Both Gov Daniel and Chief Obasanjo were urged to work together so that Ogun State will not be lost in the coming election.”