Posted by By Jide Osokoya on
The major cause of the festering crisis between Ogun State governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, and his erstwhile political godfather, Chief Jubril Martins-Kuye, has been revealed.
The major cause of the festering crisis between Ogun State governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, and his erstwhile political godfather, Chief Jubril Martins-Kuye, has been revealed.
P.M.News gathered that the relationship between the two, which collapsed about two years ago, had degenerated over the zoning of the governorship seat in 2011.
Impeccable sources in Ogun State revealed that Chief Kuye, who had since labelled Daniel a 'betrayer and disobedient disciple," had insisted on installing an Egba man in 2011, but Daniel has decided to hand over to a man from Yewa.
According to the sources, Kuye, an Ago-Iwoye (Ijebu) born former Finance Minister, was said to be solidly behind the present Minister of Steel, Alhaji Sharafa Ishola (from Abeokuta), for the Ogun governorship seat in 2011.
Kuye was said to have insisted that if he could install Gbenga Daniel as governor in 2003 with his (Kuye's) entire political structure, nothing would stop him from doing same for Sharafa whom he described as an obedient political son.
It was further gathered that it was Chief Kuye who imposed Sharafa on the governor to be appointed Secretary to the State Government during Daniel's first tenure.
For Gbenga Daniel, Kuye's 2011 plan is a ruse, as the governor had made up his mind to handover to any popular candidate from Yewa, a zone in the state which has been under-represented.
Governor Daniel's argument, according to close associates, was that Ogun State is made-up of four geopolitical zones, namely: Remo, Ijebu Yewa and Egba, and that out of the four zones, only Yewa had not ruled the state.
But political pundits in Ogun State revealed that the governor's interest in a candidate from Yewa was also a hidden agenda as he was alleged to be secretly grooming two brilliant Yewa indigenes in his cabinet.
P.M.News reliably gathered that the governor has his eyes on Professor Tope Popoola, a former Commissioner for Agriculture in his cabinet, and currently teaching Agricultural-Economics at the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAB).
Professor Popoola, who hails from Ilaro the headquarters of Yewa, is said to be a leading member of the Yewa think-tank. He is about 50 years old.
The other favourite of the governor from Yewa is Gboyega Isiaka, who is currently the Group Managing Director (GMD) of Gateway Holdings.
He is a chartered accountant whose revenue-generating prowess has impressed the governor. Isiaka, an indigene of Imeko, is said to be in his early 40s.
Another contender from Yewa is Chief Kola Bajomo, who currently represents Yewa Senatorial District in the Senate.
Observers say it's now clear in Ogun State that between Daniel and Kuye, a political battle-line has been drawn ahead of the 2011 governorship seat.