Why Gbenga Daniel’s Influence  Has Been on the Rise

At the recent 60th birthday of his wife, Yeye Olufunke Daniel, many were surprised at how Senator (Otunba) Gbenga Daniel was able to pool a mix of politicians from different political parties to the event.

Although he is a valued member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), politicians from opposition parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party turned up to honour him colleagues at the Senate all showed up at the party, held at Balmoral Event Centre, Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos. Members of the House of Representatives were not left out as they turned out in large numbers to honour the man of the people.

It was a mixture of the who-is-who in the two chambers of the national assembly, with many former governors in attendance.

The colourful birthday also sent strong signals to many politicians about the political strength of the man, fondly addressed as OGD. Though a first-timer at the senate, his influence has risen beyond the sky.  That OGD is a powerful politician from the South-west is pretty obvious. He has scaled and survived all the land mines thrown his way over the last 25 years, beginning from his days as governor. One thing he has going for him is his mastery of politics and politicking.

During his days in the PDP, he was quite influential, so much so that he vied for the chairmanship of the party. That made him travel around the country several times, during which he built alliances across the Niger and in the northern region.

When he handled Abubakar Atiku’s campaign a few years back, he again engaged in marathon journeys across the 36 states of the federation. This explained his numerous friends and political associates spread across the country. The accomplished engineer and a consummate politician, who, undoubtedly is also a quintessential manager of man and resources, is one of the finest and most detribalised Nigerian who values the unity of this country. Little wonder his influence has continued to rise astronomically.