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Tag: Gbenga Daniel

  • Obada, Daniel, others inaugurated universities council Chairmen

    Obada, Daniel, others inaugurated universities council Chairmen

    Former Minister of Defence, Olushola Obada and former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel have been inaugurated along with others as Chairmen Governing council of twelve new Federal Universities.

    Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau while inaugurating the chairman of and Pro-chancellor of University of Ibadan, Governing councils of the twelve new Federal Universities, four new polytechnics and Board of National Library of Nigeria on Tuesday advised them to ensure that the funds allocated by government are judiciously utilized.

    The universities and polytechnics are; Federal University Lokoja, Federal University, Lafia, Federal University, Kashere, Federal University, Wukari, Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Federal University, Dutse, Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Federal University, Otuoke, Federal University, Birinin-Kebbi, Federal University, Gusau, Federal University, Gashua, Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny, Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji, Federal Polytechnic, Ukana and National Instiitute of Construction Technology, Uromi.

    Obada is in charge of Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, while Daniel heads Federal University, Kashere.

    The minister said: “Governing Councils should ensure that the funds allocated by government are judiciously utilized. They should also come up with ideas that will generate more revenue, outside government allocations.

    “Let me reiterate that effective governance neither entails nor necessitates interference of the councils in the day-to-day running of the institutions. In order to be relevant and effective, governing councils are expected to be concerned more with policy issues, adopting best practices, monitoring of institution’s projects.”

  • Daniel’s name, others not on INEC list

    Daniel’s name, others not on INEC list

    Former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel’s name and scores of others who made the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) “unity list” of candidates for the February 14 and 28 general elections in Ogun State are missing on the candidates’ list made available to reporters by the Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abeokuta.

    Daniel in a statement by his media aide, Ayo Giwa, said he was directed to run for the Senate seat of Ogun East by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to ensure the party’s electoral success in Ogun and that a “unity list” of candidates cutting across  interest groups had been drawn.

     

  • Daniel: I was directed to run to ensure PDP’s victory

    Daniel: I was directed to run to ensure PDP’s victory

    The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State over who should fly the party’s senatorial ticket in Ogun East worsened yesterday with former Governor Gbenga Daniel, alleging that he had been “directed” to run, instead of Buruji Kashamu.

    Kashamu won the PDP ticket for the seat in a primary conducted by the Dayo Bayo- led state executive committee after Daniel voluntarily withdrew from contesting.

    But yesterday, the former governor said he was asked to run to enhance the PDP’S chances of emerging victorious at the poll.

    Daniel, who had traversed through PDP, Peoples Party of Nigeria(PPN), Labour Party(LP) in the last 42 months before finally returning to PDP last October, said the decision directing him to contest after he had withdrawn from the race, was reached on Christmas Day at a meeting of the party’s national leaders.

    This development, it was learnt, could put Kashamu and Daniel on a war path to the detriment of the party. Kashamu, on Sunday in Ijebu-Igbo, vowed to “sacrifice” his “blood” to keep the ticket rather than forfeit or surrender it.

    The former governor, in a statement by his media aide, Ayo Giwa, said the “National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP  declared that there were no authorised primaries  in Ogun State”, alluding that  the primary that produced  Kashamu was not accepted in Abuja.

    According to him, the leadership of the party had called on stakeholders to draw up a unity list of candidates encompassing various interest groups across the state.

    Daniel urged party leaders to stop discussing political developments in Ogun PDP on the pages of newspapers as it negated one of the articles of the party’s constitution.

    He said: “Internal disagreements which are supposed to be necessary ingredients of democracy are, on daily basis, being externalised.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the NWC has declared that there were no authorised primaries held in Ogun State as the leadership of the party had earlier on called on all stakeholders to come with a unity list of candidates encompassing all various interest groups across the state.

    “Tremendous progress has been made in this respect and the onus lies on the leadership to point the way forward.

    “In order not to disrupt the arrangement, I, Gbenga Daniel, elected not to run and pulled out of the senatorial race some weeks before the so-called primaries were held.

    “However, at an emergency meeting summoned by the national leadership on Christmas Day, I was directed to run to enhance the success of the party at all levels in the senatorial district and by extension, the state.

    “Going by this arrangement, it is absurd for any group to call themselves delegates and make statements that will only heat up the polity and may inadvertently affect the fortunes of the party in the state.

    “All hands must be on deck to ensure the success of all the PDP candidates at the polls by mapping out campaign strategies and ways of reaching out to the masses for their votes.”

  • 2015: Daniel, others missing on INEC list

    2015: Daniel, others missing on INEC list

    Former Governor Gbenga Daniel and several others who made the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) “unity list” for the 2015 general election in Ogun State are missing on the candidates’ list made available to reporters by the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abeokuta, Monday.

    Daniel had in a statement issued by his media aide, Ayo Giwa, said he was directed to run for the Ogun East Senatorial seat by the PDP National Working Committee(NWC) to ensure the party’s success in the state and that a “unity list” of candidates cutting across all interest groups in the state had been drawn.

    The former governor while charging the lucky candidates to work assiduously for the success of the party in the election, advised those that failed to make the list to put it behind them.

    However, the identities of candidates on the “unity list” have not been made public.

     

  • Ogun PDP withdraws contempt charge against Bankole, Daniel

    Ogun PDP withdraws contempt charge against Bankole, Daniel

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday struck out the contempt charge filed against a former House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole and former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel.

    It followed the withdrawal of the applications for their committal to prison by the plaintiffs’ counsel, Mr. Ajibola Oluyede.

    The plaintiffs, led by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman in Ogun State, Adebayo Dayo, are alleging that the respondents had been attempting to remove them from office, thereby following g a judgment by the Federal High Court affirming the legality of their positions.

    However, counsel for Bankole and Daniel, Mr. Afolabi Fashanu (SAN) and Prof Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), prayed the court to dismiss the contempt case since they had joined issues, rather than strike it out

    This is because if a court action is struck out, it can be re-filed and started afresh, but if dismissed, the loser’s only option will be to go on appeal.

    Arguing that the case be struck out, Osipitan said prior leave of court was not obtained before Daniel was named as an alleged contemnor.

    “A person like Daniel who was not a party to a judgment cannot be an alleged contemnor without prior leave of court being granted to commence contempt proceedings against such as person,” he said.

    Dr. Yemi Oke, Counsel for a PDP chief who was also accused of contempt, Dave Salako, argued that the appropriate order to make is to dismiss the suit, not strike it out “to prevent further harassment.”

    But Oluyede said contempt proceedings are independent of the case they derive from and not interlocutory, therefore, he can discontinue the charge without consequences.

    He added that the alleged contemnors did not join issues on the merit of the case in any of the contempt applications.

    “Issues cannot be joined on the merit by preliminary objection. We’re well within our right to unilaterally discontinue or withdraw the applications,” Oluyede said.
    Besides, he said in a criminal contempt case, the court’s leave is not required first.

  • Alleged contempt: Court threatens to order arrest of Daniel, Bankole

    Alleged contempt: Court threatens to order arrest of Daniel, Bankole

    Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday said he would order the arrest of former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel, if he fails to appear before him on December 19.

    The judge said he would also compel a former House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, to attend court should he be absent that day.

    Both are among alleged contemnors in a contempt proceedings initiated by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) executive committee members in Ogun State, led by Chief Adebayo Dayo.

    Other alleged contemnors in the proceedings are the PDP, Dave Salako and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The Ogun executives initiated the contempt proceedings against them for allegedly disobeying orders of the court.

    The plaintiffs alleged that the respondents had been attempting to remove them from office, despite two Federal High Court judgments affirming the legality of their positions.

    Justice Abang warned that he would not tolerate any disobedience of his orders by anybody.

    “I have jurisdiction to enforce the judgment of this court. It’s up to them to be here on the next adjourned date. If they’re not here on the 15th of December, I will compel their attendance. I so hold,” the judge held.

    Justice Abang said it was wrong for anyone to disobey a court order and give the impression that the court is powerless.

    “The court should bark and bite, and where the situation demands, break the bones,” the judge warned.

    Justice Abang said he would also not consider any application filed by the alleged contemnors if they do not appear in court personally.

    “The alleged contemnors are not in court, but they ought to be in court. It is mandatory that they have to be here. They cannot be in the comfort of their homes. They must be in court before any application filed by them can be taken,” the judge said.

  • Ogun PDP files contempt charge against Bankole, Daniel

    Ogun PDP files contempt charge against Bankole, Daniel

    Peoples Democratic Party executives in Ogun State have initiated contempt proceedings at the Federal High Court in Lagos against former House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole and ex-Governor Gbenga Daniel for allegedly disobeying a court order.

    The court on Wednesday granted leave to the applicants to serve the charge on the alleged contemnors, which include a former House of Representatives member, Dave Salako.

    The plaintiffs – Adebayo Dayo and Semiu Sodipo, alleged that the respondents had been attempting to remove them from office, despite two Federal High Court judgments affirming the executives’ legality.

    They said just as Ondo State PDP executive was dissolved, the respondents were making moves to dissolve the Ogun executive, with the alleged aim of installing their loyalists.

    They alleged that because of Bankole’s political ambition, he was not comfortable with the present executive in the state, and had been attempting to get them sacked by the party’s National Integration Committee.

    The applicants said the respondents perceive them as working against their political interest.

    Justice Okon Abang, who granted the leave following the plaintiffs’ ex-parte application, ordered that the notice of committal and accompanying processes be served on the alleged contemnors in Abuja and Ogun State.

    The judge also said the court documents could be pasted in a conspicuous part of Ogun PDP secretariat, while Daniel should be served through Crystal Laurel, his office in Maryland, Lagos.

     

  • ‘Ogun PDP crisis over’

    ‘Ogun PDP crisis over’

    Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday said the crisis that had bogged it down in the last five years is now over.

    The party said it is now poised, united and formidable enough to wrest power from Governor Ibikunle Amosun and the All Progressives Congress in 2015.

    In a unified voice, the party leaders – Bayo Dayo, Senator Jubril Martins – Kuye, Prince Buruji Kashamu and others made this known during a mega rally to welcome former Governor Gbenga Daniel and his followers back to PDP

    Kashamu, who is the Chairman, Organising and Mobilisation Committee of the party in Southwest, said PDP is large enough to accommodate the returnees, urging members to stay united for the task of achieving electoral victory in 2015.

    Kashamu said: “I assure you all that the umbrella is big enough to accommodate all of us. We shall ensure fairness, justice and sincerity in all our dealings. I expect same from all of all stakeholders. The party belongs to us all.

    “For me, today’s event marks another milestone in our determined quest to wrest power from the APC government.

    “The PDP is waxing stronger by the day. The good people of Ogun State have never had it so bad. They are yearning for change. They are waiting for the PDP to provide the much-needed change.

    “We can no longer afford to wait and waste our time fighting ourselves. Let us come together and solidify this union.

    “A house divided against itself cannot stand. United we stand; divided we fall.

    Let the message go from here and now that the Ogun State PDP is back to winning ways and there is no stopping us.”

    Party chieftains in attendance at the rally are former Speaker Dimeji Bankole, Hon. Lola Abiola – Edewor and former Deputy Governor Salmot Badru, among others.

  • Gbenga Daniel, Buruji Kashamu end rift

    There is a cliché to the effect that in politics, there are no permanent enemies but permanent Interests. The aphorism has been vindicated by the reconciliation of two warring Ogun politicians. Until the recently, former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, and the Chairman of Mobilisation and Organisation Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (South West), Buruji Kashamu, were sworn enemies. But that now belongs to history as the two parties have sheathed their swords.

    Their reconciliation was said to have been brokered by some leaders of the PDP in their bid to forge a common front and stronger force ahead of the 2015 general elections during which Kashamu reportedly hopes to fly the governorship flag of the party. Daniel made a surprise appearance at a Sallah party organised by Kashamu at the Goodluck Jonathan Political Centre, Ijebu Igbo last week.

    Reacting to Daniel’s unexpected visit, Kashamu said: “Although it was a private visit, it is perhaps a precursor to my prediction penultimate Sunday that Daniel had no choice but to return to PDP.”

  • Gbenga Daniel, Titi Oseni’s husband shun 50th birthday

    Gbenga Daniel, Titi Oseni’s husband shun 50th birthday

    Former Ogun State House of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Titi Oseni, celebrated her 50th birthday in Lagos penultimate Friday. It was a high-octane event that brought to the fore the social relevance of a woman who had moved from business to the highly volatile politics of Ogun State before she reverted to private business.

    The thanksgiving service was held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, King’s Court, Ikeja, Lagos, while the reception and dinner sessions took place at The Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The black tie event was classy and lived up to its billing. Bigwigs from the political and corporate sectors were there to celebrate the urbane first Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly.

    But the absence of two men who supposedly played key roles in Titi’s rise to prominence was conspicuous. The absence of her husband, Kunle Oseni, seemed to reinforce the rumour that all had not been well with their 24-year-old marriage. There were reports to the effect that their marriage experienced a strain during Titi’s political sojourn in Ogun State. But Titi, who had her tenure as Speaker truncated with impeachment, once rebuffed the rumour as a figment of the imagination of some wicked rumour mongers. The absence of Otunba Gbenga Daniel, who was instrumental to the rise of Titi to political prominence, also fuelled speculation that the two might have fallen apart.