Inside Battle To Help Ex-Gov Daniel Clear Fresh “Mess”

Gbenga Daniel, 65 is battling an unwanted attraction.

Societynow.Ng gathered that at risk for the former Governor of Ogun state (May 2003 to May 2011) are one of his moneymakers and the reputation he has carefully cultivated and worked hard to earn.

The influential politician with the disarming mien is being linked to something everything he stands for is against findings by SocietyNow.Ng revealed.

On Saturday, November 27, 2021 agents of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stormed Conference Hotel, Abeokuta, and arrested some guests at an ongoing event – and lodgers.

The premium hospitality tagged a 5-Star Hotel is owned by the former Governor who is the Chairman of Conference Hotels (there is another in Ijebu Ode as well Shagamu, Ogun State).

In the face of outcry in some quarters over perceived excesses of the anti-graft commission, faultfinders and politicians out to score points floated narratives that do not favor the image of Daniel who turned Ogun state, especially Abeokuta – the capital – from a sleepy civil servant space into a bubbling environment with opening up the economy through the creation of direct jobs – like agencies such as Ogroma in charge of construction and repairs – and luring investors and investments (it was during his two terms of four years each that Bank branches and related businesses sprung up here and there) SocietyNow.NG learned.

The narratives are partly hinged on claims that the premium hotel houses targets of the EFCC who have been untouchable because they are holed up in a place that enjoys the cover of the former governor who officially joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in February 2021, – from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) – after he played a major role in helping Governor Abiodun to power 2019.

Unfortunately for Daniel who is credited with the gift of influencing people – a skill he picked up as the star of the Baptist Boys’ High School, Abeokuta’s debates and quiz completion (1969 to 1973) -, the EFCC’s telling of its operation in Abeokuta on Saturday resulted in the unintended consequence of fueling narratives against him.

The EFFC posted on its official handle “EFCC Arrests 60 at Yahoo Boys’ Awards Night

Operatives of the Lagos Command of the EFCC have arrested 60 suspected internet fraudsters during an awards ceremony at the Conference Hotel in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

“The event tagged “Peer Youths Awards”, investigation revealed, was organized to reward high-level internet fraudsters.

Items recovered from the suspects at the point of arrest include exotic cars, electronic devices, laptop computers and mobile phones. The suspects will soon be charged to court”

SocietyNow.Ng learned this development has resulted in all manners of conjectures about the hotel and its owner here and there.

Further digs revealed that it is, however, not all bad news for Daniel as those conversant with his ways continue to defend the politician labeled “arguable the most successful governor of Ogun state in modern times” and “a very successful businessman with an identifiable track record.”

“Though you cannot take away the strong possibility that aside from the premium service, the fact that Daniel owns Conference Hotel is one of the attractions the place holds for the targets of the EFCC, linking the former Governor with a well known second address from politics to the mess of such persons is maddening” SocietyNow.Ng gathered.

“Second address from politics” which is one of the wise sayings of former President Olusegun Obasanjo means to have “other means of livelihood aside politics.”

Obasanjo, the larger-than-life elder statesmen respected across continents, asserted that for a politician – elected or appointed – to perform well in office, be able to avoid the lures of graft, and overcome corruption, he or she must have a second address (other means of livelihood).

The checks by SocietyNow.Ng revealed Daniel who is married to Olufunke – nee Opawole – has more than one “second address” – multiple means of livelihood – that also cater to hundreds of people.

A fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Nigerian Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Directors, Daniel is the power behind Kresta Laurel, an engineering firm specializing in elevators, overhead traveling cranes, and hoists across countries.

He started Kresta Laurel as far back as 1990 after he left H.F.SCHROEDER West Africa Limited where he holds the record as the first African to rise to the position of Deputy Managing Director.

The former Governor who defeated a second term seeking incumbent – Aremo Olusegun Osoba – by a landslide (449,335 votes to 231,982 votes) to take office in 2003, started KLL Construction Limited, said to be exceeding expectations, in 2017.

Aside from construction and hospitality, the former Governor is said to be a big but silent player in Real Estate, Banking, and Oil and Gas.