The Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has been unanimously elected as the new Chairman of  Nigerian Governors' Forum.  Otunba Daniel’s election took place during a meeting of the Governors at the Ogun State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro Abuja on Friday October 29, 2010. The Benue State governor, Mr. Gabriel Suswan who spoke on behalf of the forum after the meeting said Otunba Daniel was chosen due to his exemplary leadership qualities, his track record and experience as a second term governor .

He maintained that Daniel was unanimously elected by consensus of all the members of the forum and he has been mandated to coordinate the forum’s activities and ensure that it responds to national issues as appropriate. Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa-Ibom also stated that the selection of Otunba Daniel was based purely on his performance as a capable administrator with outstanding qualities saying the Ogun State Governor has what it takes  to move the forum forward positively.

An indication that the Ogun State Governor would be given that responsibility began to emerge during the fund raising dinner for the Goodluck Jonathan / Sambo Presidential Campaign, when Otunba Daniel was asked by his colleagues to speak on their behalf. Thereafter he led the other Governors to pay a courtesy call on Dr Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa. After the courtesy call all the Governors retired to the Ogun State Governor’s Lodge where Otunba Daniel was subsequently elected to replace Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State who is now a presidential aspirant on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.

In his acceptance speech, Governor Daniel thanked his colleagues for the confidence reposed in him to lead the Forum at this critical and momentous period of the Nation’s history. He promised to build on the legacy of Dr Bukola Saraki whom he said provided credible leadership and ensured that the Forum contributed immensely to the socio economic and political development of the country. “I will do all in my power to ensure that the Forum continues to work for the Nigerian people and in the interest of our nation. It is a call to service and by the Grace of God I will not disappoint my colleagues and the people of Nigeria,” Governor Daniel further stated.

Adegbenro Adebanjo,Chief Press Secretary to the Governor