I didn’t steal public money or land as Ogun Governor, but not a saint – Gbenga Daniel

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Former Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, has said he did everything right as the Ogun helmsman, and did not steal public funds or land, even though he acknowledged that he is not a saint.

At a Special Thanksgiving Service held at the Abraham Tabernacle in Sagamu on Sunday, the former governor recounted how he was tried for 11 years despite serving Ogun State for eight years.

Speaking to journalists, the Ogun East senatorial aspirant maintained that he neither stole lands nor money as governor.

While conceding that he is not a saint, Daniel, however, said he did everything right to the best of his knowledge.

When asked if he was not worried during his trial when some of his fellow former governors being tried were sent to jail for funds misappropriation, Daniel said he used to feel strongly that God would vindicate him, but he got worried at times.

According to him, “What I was sure of is that, I am not a saint, but I did everything right to the best of my knowledge. I don’t know how anyone will say I stole the land on which this (Abraham Tabernacle) church was built. I don’t even know who the complainant is. The land was paid for, the church is not for profit-making. We donated the church back to the Baptist convention.

“Another one is The Church of the Lord in Ogere, where we gave them land to build a university. How do we turn things around in the nation if we don’t encourage this kind of thing? What is my duty as a governor? I am supposed to look at areas where people need support and help them.

“The perception was that everybody is taking money. Do you take money from the church?

“Those are the things I had to face; and quite honestly, I felt strong, felt God will vindicate me, but there are certain times I got worried because when you see what is happening, you wonder. I think the tragedy is, in whatever we do, we must not see every single person as a thief. Because, there must be consequences for doing bad and appreciation for doing right. But when you have a society where those that do right are being persecuted, there will be no incentive for doing right. That is my own worry,” he submitted.

In his sermon, the Retired Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr Sunday Makinde, congratulated Daniel for his triumph over the trial.

Makinde implored Christians to imbibe the spirit of praises and thanksgiving to God at all times.