By Williams Anuku, Abuja
Gbenga Daniel, a former governor of Ogun State, Thursday, formalised his defection to the All Progressives Congress, (APC) by registering with the party in the state.
The former Governor who was the Campaign Manager of Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the last general election registered at his ward 12, Isote in Sagamu Local government area of the state.
Daniel, had, immediately after the election, declared that he was backing out from partisan politics, the decision he would reconsider almost two years after.
All his follower has defected to the APC before the gubernatorial election in Ogun State, some of which are currently serving in Ogun State cabinet.
The former governor who was flanked by his wife, Yeye Olufunke Daniel was registered by his ward Chairman, Suji Olusegun and supervised by the state Chairman of the APC Revalidation and Registration Committee.
OGD, as fondly called, was received into the Party on Tuesday by five Governors of the APC who were in the State for stakeholders meeting in herders/farmers clashes.
Apart from Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, other Governors present at the Asoludero home of Daniel in Sagamu were Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State and Abubakar Sanni Bello of Niger State.
Receiving Daniel into the party, Abiodun said, “OGD will come with a lot of experience, a lot wisdom, he is a very dynamic individual, he is referred to as the lion of the west.
“He (Daniel) will no doubt add a lot of value to our great party. I have the pleasure of leading my colleagues to receive you (OGD) into APC”.
Responding, Daniel said the decision to join APC was “well-considered and thought out.”
According to him, more than ever, Nigeria needs leaders to come together and speak with one voice in order to tackle challenges.
Daniel said, “To all our people in Ogun State, I can assure that the decision to join the APC is well considered, well thought out decision.
“More than any time in the history of this country, what we need to do is to speak together with one voice. Our people have challenges, there is despondency in the land because of security challenges and if anybody is patriotic, this is the time for us to join hands.
“And for us in Ogun state, we have no other choice, we have a good governor and we are determined to support him to succeed”.