The former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, has described his successor, Ibikunle Amosun, as an “enfant terrible successor.”
NOP NIGERIA reports that Daniel stated this at his 70th birthday church service in Sagamu on Monday, where Amosun was also in attendance.
The duo were friends before Daniel became governor in 2003, but fell apart when Amosun contested against Daniel, who was seeking a second term in 2007.
While Amosun lost to Daniel in 2007, the political rivalry peaked in 2011 when Daniel was exiting power.
Speaking during the event, the former governor stated that Amosun was in a hurry to become governor by opposing his second-term bid in 2007.
He said, “Let me appreciate the former governors who are here today, especially the one they call Ajiri, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, enfant terrible successor of mine.
“He gave me hell. We thank God that with the prayers of our clergymen, he is now repentant. Ibikunle, thank you very much.”
He added, “We started the race together, but you were too much in a hurry. That was all that happened. And I have told people that you are what we call Ajagungbade. You fought and won. There is nothing we can do about it.”
Speaking with newsmen on clocking 70, Daniel said he felt happy and fulfilled.
“I feel that I have not served the state in vain. I feel appreciated. Today is one of my happiest days.
“Going forward, the former governor said he will recommit himself to the emancipation of the people.
“I have stood with them in the last 25–30 years of my life, and I have seen that, at the end of the day, they are a set of appreciative people.
“I’m happy that many of them have become important personalities in society. That gives me joy. So what I’ll continue to do is to continue to serve the people with the rest of my life,” he said.
The church service had in attendance Osun State Governor, Senator Demola Adeleke; Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, and the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi.
Daniel’s colleagues in the Senate, former appointees and aides, former governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ladi Adebutu, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, among other personalities, graced the occasion.
