Otunba Justus Olugbenga Daniel: A profile of a political leaders’ leader

Nigeria is a nation of immense potential, with a population of over 200 million people and abundant natural resources. Unfortunately, the country has been plagued by a number of issues, including poverty, corruption, and insecurity. As a result, many Nigerians have lost hope in the future of their nation.

Otunba Justus Olugbenga Daniel is a Nigerian politician and former governor of Ogun State who has a vision for a better Nigeria. He believes that the country can be transformed into a prosperous and secure nation if the right steps are taken.

Daniel’s vision for a better Nigeria is based on three key principles: good governance, economic development, and social justice. He believes that good governance is essential for the country to move forward. This includes fighting corruption, promoting transparency, and ensuring that the rule of law is respected.

He believes that social justice is essential for a better Nigeria. He advocates for policies that will ensure that all Nigerians have access to basic services such as healthcare, education, and housing. He also believes that the government should take steps to reduce inequality and ensure that all citizens have equal opportunities.

OGD, as he is fondly called, was governor of Ogun State from May 29, 2003 to May 29, 2011 and he is the owner of Kresta Laurel, an Electro-Mechanical Engineering company, which was founded in 1990. He is also the founder of Conference Hotels with branches in Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu, Abeokuta and Isheri part of Lagos.

He was born on April 6, 1956 in Ibadan, Oyo State, to Christian parents, Most Rev. Adebola Daniel of Makun, Sagamu and Madam Olaitan Daniel of Omu-Ijebu. His father was a notable missionary of the Church of the Lord (Aladura) while his mother was a trader.

Daniel attended the Baptist Boys’ High School, Abeokuta from 1969 to 1973.

More on Otunba Justus Olugbenga Daniel

• OGD: When the lion roars into the ruling party
• Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the lions and the den
• ‘Ogun East Senatorial District’ Reviewing Otunba Gbenga Daniel political sagacity so far
• ‘Congrats!’ TheFLEA Awards names Gbenga Daniel Most Courageous People-Focused Bridge Builder
• ‘Award!’ Nigerian engineers recognizes Gbenga Daniel’s contribution to advancement of engineering profession
• ‘Promoting unity’ Fmr gov, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, moves to unite SW political leaders, visits Akande
• ‘Am I speaking loud?’ Otunba Gbenga Daniel speaks on #EndSARS protests
• ‘Contribute your quota’ Ex-Gov Daniel advocates systemic approach to restructuring

While there, he represented the school in debates and quiz competitions – a factor that made him exceptionally popular among his contemporaries and stimulated his inclination towards intellectual pursuits. Having graduated from the Baptist Boys High School in flying colours, he proceeded first to the School of Basic Studies at The Polytechnic, Ibadan for his Advanced Level (A’ Level) and thereafter moved to the School of Engineering of the University of Lagos.

In his early years as an undergraduate, he won several scholarships and also became well acquainted with the renowned Prof. Ayodele Awojobi as one of the best students of the late professor. It was whilst still an undergraduate that he became indoctrinated into the select Committee of Friends of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as the youngest member later metamorphosed into the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

Daniel’s decision to study engineering was influenced by the brilliant engineer and teacher, Ayodele Awojobi.

Daniel spent much time with Awojobi, and was a winner and champion several times over, on his television quiz show “Mastermind”.

During his national service year at the School of Engineering of the Lagos State Polytechnic, he supervised the construction of the engineering complex and also conducted the semester examinations for the School of Engineering. The feat was described by an appreciative management as “quite remarkable in an environment where examination fraud is quite rampant”.

He earned a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Lagos and subsequently attended Lagos Business School for an executive programme in 1990.

As one of the youngest kitchen cabinet members of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Daniel was in charge of the student wing of the Unity Party of Nigeria in 1978 but his sojourn in the UPN was short-lived after his father drove to the University of Lagos with a clear instruction to concentrate on his academic pursuit and leave politics.

After graduation and establishment of Kresta Laurel, Gbenga Daniel joined the Yoruba social-cultural group Afenifere under the then leadership of Pa Abraham Adesanya.

During the struggle against the military juntas and campaign for the reinstatement of the annulled June 12 election, he became one of the financiers of the National Democratic Coalition (Nigeria) NADECO providing supports to members who were fleeing the country to seek asylum abroad.

Gbenga Daniel’s campaign for the seat of the governor was described by political analysts as “electric” considering the fact that as a businessman, he defeated a sitting governor.

His campaign was a revolution in the state in 2003 as he visited all the 236 wards of Ogun State, meeting with every stakeholder of every street and area in the state to sell his ideas. He received commendations for redefining campaign for political office in the country.

Daniel was elected governor of Ogun State in the 2003 Ogun State gubernatorial election, running on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) beating the incumbent with 217, 353 votes.

His victory remains the biggest electoral victory in Ogun state till date. He scored 449,335 votes against the sitting governor who scored 231,982 votes recording the widest margin ever in Ogun state governorship race.

He acquired the chiefly title Otunba of the Egba and Ijebu clans of the state during the course of his first term.

He was re-elected in April 2007 in an election that was disputed by rival candidate Ibikunle Amosun of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), but in August 2009 the Ogun State Election Petitions Tribunal dismissed the petition.

He promoted entrepreneurship amongst young people through voracious youth development programmes. The Nigerian Youth Council of the state was massively empowered to help youths all over the state and many young people were appointed into notable political positions.

Some of his other achievements while in office include building roads, recreational centres and stadiums in the three senatorial districts of the state, and setting up a University of Education. The Gateway International Stadium was a site of the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup which was held in Nigeria.

In February 2009, Daniel authorised reduction of fees at the State-owned Moshood Abiola Polytechnic to ₦7,000. This followed negotiations with the National Association of Nigerian Students after parents and students had protested recent increases to fees.

Daniel started the Ogun State Agro Cargo Airport in Ilishan-Remo; an international air cargo port dedicated to offering direct export of agricultural products in Ogun state and Southwest Nigeria to the international community.

The airport plan also shows the provision for regular carriage for passengers plane for international flights. He established three free trade zones in each of the senatorial districts in Ogun State. The Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone Limited, Igbesa, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area; Olokola Free Trade Zone (OKFTZ); Olokola Deep Seaport and Kajola Free Trade Zone in Ifo.

In 2010, Daniel was appointed to lead the Goodluck Jonathan for President campaign in the Southwest, Nigeria. True to his assignment, Jonathan won the election in the southwest overwhelmingly in 2011 and became the first South-Southerner to ever rule over Nigeria.

In 2017, Gbenga Daniel contested for the position of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party. His campaign was adjudged by many as the sturdiest campaign at the time. He visited the entire 36 states and FCT to campaign for a fresh start for the party. However, on the day of the convention, he submitted his letter of withdrawal after a consensus was reached by the party’s leadership to zone the position to the South-South.

In 2018, Atiku Abubakar announced the appointment of Gbenga Daniel as the Director-General of his presidential campaign organisation. Daniel led the former vice-president to victory in the presidential primary of the PDP in Port Harcourt despite the predictions of bookmarkers.

In February 2021, Gbenga Daniel officially joined the All Progressive Congress (APC) after two years of leaving partisan politics.

In his remark during the ceremonial handing over of the broom symbol of the party, Daniel stated that his main goal in politics is to foster national unity and the development of the country. He was received into the party by five governors namely Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello.

Shortly after joining the APC, Daniel was appointed by the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) to head the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee of the party as well as a member of the contact/strategy sub-committee.

As a Yoruba man, he has been a lifelong supporter of the tribe’s interests and the declaration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the 16th president of the country is one of the testaments to this fact.

He had foreseen in Asiwaju Tinubu a  great man, even before he also became Ogun State governor himself, few years after the latter became governor of Lagos State.

It is on record that the first campaign office of the then Senator Tinubu while nursing his ambition of becoming the governor of Lagos State was donated by Otunba Daniel.

Because of his love in serving his people, Otunba Daniel threw his hat into the ring again and contested to represent the south western people of Nigeria at the National Assembly as a senator through Ogun East Senatorial District.

And as a habitual winner, he scored 115,147 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ajibola Kalejaiye of the PDP, who scored 58,708 votes.

His life has been about serving his people selflessly, which he has demonstrated all through his political journey, and yet, the journey continues.

Rtn. Victor Ojelabi

Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.