The plot to embarrass me was pre-meditated-Gov Daniel

The plot to embarrass me was Premeditated-Gov Daniel Newsdiaryonline Sun March 13,2011

On Saturday, March 12, 2011 during President Goodluck Jonathan’s Campaign tour of Ogun State a section of the crowd acting on the prompting of those who hired them made uncomplimentary remarks when the name of the Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, was called by officials during proceedings at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta. For the avoidance of doubt we want to put it on record that there was nothing spontaneous about the disrespectful act to the person and office of the Governor of Ogun State. It was a premeditated act by the sponsors of the ignoble act who having failed to get Governor Daniel not to attend the event decided to embarrass him at the venue. They had hired some undesirable elements mainly from outside the State and briefed them to heckle the Governor during the event.

Not that we were not aware of the plot. Indeed various scenarios were considered prior to the visit of the president to Ogun State. Some of the Governor’s adviser had counseled that supporters of the Governor should be mobilized to the venue to counter the plot which had already being uncovered by security agents. However Governor Daniel over ruled this suggestion because of security considerations. According to him, the situation could degenerate to a faceoff between both sides which would have seriously embarrassed Mr.President and mar the visit. . And the plotters would have gone to town accusing Mr. Governor of violence.

The Governor also discouraged his supporters who wanted to hold another rally on the same day at another location. That of course would also have been termed as an anti party activity to the delight of the tiny band of opponents behind the plot to embarrass the Governor. And Governor Daniel knew that by not attending the rally he would have played into the hands of his opponents who would have accused him of shunning Mr. President and not showing enough commitment to his function as the South West Coordinator of the Goodluck/Sambo Presidential Campaign Council. So the final decision taken by Governor Daniel was to attend the rally in spite of warning that there was a grand plot to embarrass him by hired thugs paid by some unscrupulous persons under the control of a fugitive from the law.

The Governor told members of the cabinet at the last meeting prior to the President’s visit that he would attend in deference to the President and as the Chief Host. The Governor said if the plotters eventually carried out the plot to embarrass him he would take it as a personal sacrifice that a leader must make from time to time.

Indeed it was part of the last minute efforts to ensure a hitch free visit of the President to Ogun State that Governor Daniel in a show of statesmanship visited Chief Olusegun Obasanjo at home in Abeokuta earlier on Friday March 11, 2011.

The visit, which was at the instance of some eminent personalities, took place at the residence of Chief Obasanjo. The erudite Lawyer, Chief Afe Babalola and Chief Adebutu-Kessington who visited the Governor at his Sagamu residence later accompanied him to the residence of the former president. The meeting was successful and down-to- earth and discussion centered on how to ensure a hitch -free visit for the President and also commence a peace process for the Party which has been embroiled in crisis for several months. Gov Daniel had thought that such a step would put the wind out of the sail of the plotters and they would also sheathe their sword. However since those behind the plot were determined to carry through the ignoble act nothing could stop them.

We strongly condemn the orchestrated plot to embarrass the governor and desecrate the office of the governor by persons being urged on by a fugitive of dubious provenance who in concert with some persons has virtually become the instigator of violence and different plots to destabilize the state and cause crisis. It is sad that supposed leaders of the society are openly fraternizing with a man of questionable character already declared wanted by the United States Government for acts that are fraudulent and criminal.

We take consolation in the fact the people of Ogun state still hold their governor in high esteem and are pained by the political shenanigans of a few misguided elements that see politics as war fare and are ready to cause chaos and mayhem for purely political reason.

We seize this opportunity to appeal to the people of Ogun State to remain calm and not allow themselves to be provoked by these acts that are alien to our Omoluabi culture and at variance with civilized norms.

Being the text of a press statement by Adegbenro Adebanjo,Chief Press ,Secretary to the Governor March 13,2011