The long-standing political rivalry between Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD) and Senator Ibikunle Amosun has left Ogun State suffering the consequences of abandoned projects and stunted development. Governance is meant to be a continuous process where succeeding administrations build on the foundations laid by their predecessors. No single administration can solve all the challenges of a state—especially a state as significant as Ogun—making the concept of governance as a continuum critical. True leadership is not just about initiating projects but also ensuring their continuity for the greater good.
Otunba Gbenga Daniel, during his tenure as governor from 2003 to 2011, initiated several ambitious projects that had the potential to transform Ogun State’s economy. These included the Agro-Cargo Airport, the Independent Power Plant, the Olokola Deep Seaport, and the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone (FTZ) development deal with Zhongshan in 2007. Unfortunately, these projects were left incomplete or delayed, resulting in wasted potential and national embarrassment.
When Senator Ibikunle Amosun assumed office as governor in 2011, he had the opportunity to complete these crucial projects. However, instead of continuing them, he chose to abandon most of them and focus on his own initiatives. Is this the true measure of progress? Should personal achievement take precedence over the collective good? By discarding his predecessor’s projects, Amosun not only missed an opportunity to advance the state’s development but also did a disservice to the people of Ogun State among which is the snitch he had on the $20bn Dangote refinery project.
Though Amosun’s administration made some strides in infrastructure, the neglect of earlier projects undermines the essence of good governance. Can we truly celebrate a leader who leaves behind a trail of abandoned projects that could have significantly boosted the state’s economy? What happened to the much-touted rice pyramid, for example? Governance is indeed a continuum; no single leader can solve every problem or complete every initiative. So why should a successor abandon what has already been started?
The bitter politics between these two influential figures have stunted Ogun State’s growth. Rather than building on each other’s legacies and advancing the vision of the state’s founding fathers, they chose rivalry over the collective good. In the end, it is the people of Ogun State who suffer from this political discord.
Complicating matters further, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, as Governor, was instrumental in securing the FTZ development deal with Zhongshan in 2007, which had the potential to make Ogun State a hub of international trade. However, in 2015, Senator Amosun abruptly terminated the contract without considering the legal consequences. This reckless decision not only disrupted a project that could have significantly benefited the state’s economy but also exposed Ogun State and Nigeria to substantial financial liabilities.
This destructive political rivalry has now brought shame and debt upon the people of Ogun State and Nigeria at large. Recently, three presidential aircraft were seized in France as part of efforts to enforce a ~$70 million judgement against the Federal Government—a judgement directly linked to the failed FTZ deal. This entire situation stems from the stubborn bickering between two former governors, whose actions have left a legacy of debt, disappointment, and national embarrassment. Amosun’s thoughtless and irrational decisions, combined with Daniel’s inability to complete his ambitious projects, have left the people of Ogun State bearing the heavy cost of missed opportunities and unrealised potential.
As we reflect on this situation, we must ask ourselves: What if the Agro-Cargo Airport had been completed? What if the Olokola Deep Seaport were operational today? What if the independent power plant were fully functional and finally, What if $20bn Dangote Refinery project was in Ogun State? The answers to these questions could have painted a very different picture of Ogun State’s development—a picture of progress and prosperity rather than stagnation and disgrace.
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