Gbenga Daniel hints at running for Senate in 2023

A former Governor of Ogun State,  Gbenga Daniel, has hinted that he will be contesting for Senate in 2023.

Daniel had, in February, joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) and was received by five APC governors at his Sagamu residence.

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He was presented to President Muhammadu Buhari in March at the presidential villa, Abuja, alongside another defector and a former Speaker of House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole.

Daniel, fondly called OGD by his political followers, was the Director General of Atiku Abubakar Presidential campaign in 2019 election. Atiku contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Daily Trust reports that shortly after OGD joined APC, there were speculations that he would be contesting for Ogun East Senatorial poll in 2023.

This, he has confirmed to a gathering in Sagamu on Friday.

He said he has been under pressure to run for “national offices in 2023.”

The former governor, who also is Chancellor of the Political Leadership Training Institute (POLA), spoke at the Continuous Political Education Programme of POLA with the Theme, “Understanding Democracy, Quality Representation and Political Management.”

He established POLA, a leadership and good governance training institute, for youth and emerging leaders shortly after he left the office in 2011.

Speaking at the event, Daniel bemoaned poor representation at the National Assembly, especially from the South West.

He said he had read news and watched videos calling on him to run for some national offices in 2023.

He said the occasion was not meant to react to the clamour, but he agreed with the reasons alluded by his supporters.

Daniel said, “I have read the news and watched videos from diverse groups and individuals who have been calling on me to run for some National offices in 2023; while this is neither the time nor the occasion to react to such clamour, I agree mostly with their reasons.

“The position that only those with the required capacity should be allowed to make laws and sanction policies that affect the lives of the citizens cannot be over-emphasised not just in Ogun State but the entire country.

“The National Assembly plays a vital role in our democracy and requires the best of vibrant intellectuals our nation has to offer.

“Laws made must be in tandem with the goals to create a better society for the people, one not just rooted in the ideals of good governance, but forged with the mindset of the advancement of the present inventions and future innovations.”