Former Ogun State governor and senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has declared that President Bola Tinubu is providing Nigeria with its “first ever conscious leadership,” insisting that his re-election in 2027 is “sacrosanct” for the country’s continued progress.
Daniel made the declaration on Sunday while unveiling the multimillion-naira Renewed Hope International Market at Igode in Sagamu Local Government Area of the state.
The event also featured the launch of the BATOGD Movement, a platform designed to mobilise support for Tinubu’s second-term bid, as well as the distribution of empowerment tools such as motorcycles, deep freezers, and sewing machines to residents of the senatorial district.
The senator praised Tinubu’s administration for taking “bold and courageous steps” where previous governments had failed, citing the removal of fuel subsidy and reforms in the foreign exchange market as examples.
“Let me state unequivocally that our support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is sacrosanct, and our reasons are clear,” Daniel said.
“Asíwájú has provided our country with the first ever conscious leadership through a systematic process of rethinking the nation, redirecting our economy, and reengineering our national engagements. Courage, in itself, is a virtue, and only a leader who appreciates the real essence of power can dare to confront the monumental missteps of the past and chart a new way forward.”
He acknowledged the hardships Nigerians are facing but argued that the policies have created a foundation for long-term stability. “This is not to say everything has become rosy,” he noted, “but if we take the issue of fuel subsidy removal as an example, we can appreciate that it has, to a large extent, addressed the problem of scarcity.”
Daniel also urged the 36 state governors to make better use of the “excess funds” now accruing to them following subsidy removal. “Allocations have increased more than fourfold, and governors must give a good account of this generosity from the President,” he said.
On his senatorial record, Daniel highlighted bills he has sponsored, including the creation of Ijebu-Remo State and the establishment of a South-West Commission, alongside projects such as free cataract surgeries for 3,000 people and grants to 5,000 petty traders. He warned that the Ijebu-Remo State proposal could suffer a setback if he is not re-elected beyond 2027.
“If someone starts a thing and could not finish it before the end of that regime, they will say it must begin again. That is why we must all do that which is right when the time comes,” he told constituents.
He explained that the National Assembly has its own peculiar ways of working and ensuring pending bills are pushed through continuity, stressing his return to the National Assembly is key to creation of the state.
“In Abuja, I have been working on the creation of a new state out of the old Ijebu Province. The advantages are enormous in terms of federal allocations for development and employment opportunities. I thank my colleagues in the Senate – 75 of whom have endorsed the proposal. Out of all the provinces created in 1923, only Ijebu has yet to transition into a state. The agitation is credible and justifiable; and I call on everyone to support it”, he stated.
On the new international market, Daniel appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to rehabilitate the access road to Igode. “When we chose this location, there was no road. Without support, we had to deploy personal funds to make it motorable. We call on the state government to tar the road to enable full optimisation of the market,” he said.
The royal father of Igode, Oba Jamiu Sule-Onosipe, praised both Tinubu and Daniel for the project, describing it as the first federal presence in the community since its founding. He urged both state and federal governments to assist with the construction of adjoining roads linking neighbouring Lagos communities.
According to Daniel, the launch of the BATOGD Movement was intended to leave no doubt about his unwavering support for President Tinubu, with whom he has shared a close political relationship for three decades.
“This is also an open endorsement of his leadership and political project — for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians. Let it not be forgotten that President Tinubu is a bastion of democracy who has paid his dues and deserves the support of well-meaning Nigerians,” he said.
