Only God knows next Ogun governor between Adebutu, Yayi — Daniel

Former governor of Ogun State and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel on Friday said that only God knows the next governor of the state between the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Solomon Adeola fondly called Yayi and his Peoples Democratic Party counterpart, Oladipupo Adebutu.

OGD as the former governor is fondly called disclosed this while speaking during the burial of his mother-in-law, Mrs Sabainah Ibironke Opawole, mother of Yeye Olufunke Daniel, former first lady of the state.

The burial service which was held at Ibara Baptist Church, Abeokuta had in attendance former President Olusegun Obasanjo represented by his wife, Mrs Bola Obasanjo, former Gov Ibikunle Amosun represented by his wife, Chief Mrs Olufunso Amosun, Gov Dapo Abiodun, Adebutu, Yayi and senator representing Ogun West, Mr Tokunbo Talabi, the Secretary to the state government, among others.

While giving vote of thanks to all that graced the burial service, the former governor used the medium to calm fray nerves as far as the 2027 governorship race in the state is concerned saying that he was sure that the election would be devoid of violence.

Daniel said that the fact that both the supporters of Adebutu and Yayi were chanting songs in support of their governorship candidates give no cause for alarm as it was all a game of politics that is always played with sense of maturity in the state.

He said, “While the service was ongoing the pastors were a bit apprehensive because of our people who were shouting and singing, but I told them that there is nothing to be worried about.

“Something tells me that by the time we come back here, sometimes next year, about this time, somebody in this room would have become the governor of Ogun State. I don’t know who the person is. Maybe Gov Abiodun knows. Maybe Mrs. Adeola knows. Maybe Mrs. Amosun knows. Maybe Mrs. Adebutu knows. I don’t know, but God knows who is going to be the next governor.

“But I can assure you that in Ogun State, this is how we play the game. There’s no violence. As a matter of fact, the pastors should be praying that they should be coming to church, so that you can pray for them and they can be like you. So, men of God, please don’t get unnecessarily worried.”

Daniel later called on Gov Abiodun to lead Adebutu and Yayi to the dancing floor to establish that there is no love lost between the two politicians while also saying that the two governorship candidates despite being members of different political parties belong to one big political family in the state.

The political atmosphere changed when Adebutu was invited to pay tribute to the deceased.

His supporters began chanting, “Say Lado for 2027” and “Ogun for Ogun,” in apparent endorsement of his governorship ambition.

The chants were, however, countered by supporters of Adeola, who responded with solidarity songs in support of the senator’s governorship aspiration ahead of the 2027 election.

The development prompted Daniel to intervene, urging supporters of both politicians to refrain from turning the church service into a political gathering.

Yayi, Adebutu supporters take campaign to Daniel’s mother-in-law’s burial

Addressing the congregation, the former governor said, “We are here to pay our last respects to my mother-in-law. This is not the appropriate place for political campaigns or slogans.”

He appealed to the supporters to respect the solemnity of the occasion and allow the service to continue peacefully.

Speaking earlier, Obasanjo described the deceased as woman of uncommon grace, faith and service whose legacy would continue to inspire generations

He said that “Mama was truly a woman in a million. Her life was a stellar example of devotion, grace and selfless community service.

“As a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she built a lasting legacy of love and unity within the family. Her kind nature made her deeply loved by everyone who crossed her path.”

The former President urged family members to take solace in the fact that Mama Opawole lived a life worthy of emulation and should therefore sustain legacy of love and selfless exhibited by the deceased during her lifetime.

Governor Abiodun also described the deceased as an accomplished entrepreneur, disciplined leader and devout Christian whose virtues were reflected in her children.

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Yayi, Adebutu supporters take campaign to Daniel’s mother-in-law’s burial

“Mama was a very successful entrepreneur. She was disciplined, diligent, generous and selfless. She was a doting mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who extended her love even to those who were not biologically related to her,” he said.

The governor noted that one of the tributes described Mrs Opawole as “a woman of valour, virtue and an icon,” adding that she remained committed to God throughout her lifetime.

“Mama took great joy in reading the Bible and could recite many portions from memory even until her very last days,” Abiodun said.

He added, “Like they say, the fruit does not fall far from the tree. Our former First Lady exemplifies all the virtues of Mama.”

On behalf of the Ogun State Government, Abiodun extended condolences to the Opawole, Osoba and Daniel families, praying for the peaceful repose of the deceased.

Former Governor Ibikunle Amosun, represented by his wife, Chief Mrs Olufunso Amosun, also described the late matriarch as a devoted Christian whose impact transcended her immediate family.

Amosun said, “Mama’s life was defined by steadfast dedication to her family, God and humanity.

“She will be remembered for raising children whose accomplishments and contributions to society reflect the quality of her nurturing guidance and values.”

In his remark at the burial service, the 2027 Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ogun State, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, urged members of the family to preserve the values handed down by the late matriarch.

Addressing Yeye Olufunke Daniel, he said, “I truly believe, as a person of faith, you know Mama has gone to a good place. Be encouraged to celebrate a life well spent.

“Please continue Mama’s legacy. She has bequeathed that to you and your family. We must continue the legacy of goodness our parents bestow on us.”

Similarly, Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi), representing Ogun West, described the deceased as a woman whose exemplary life was evident in the achievements and character of her children.

“If there is no testimony that we can share, we can always see that Yeye Olufunke Daniel is a good and typical example that Mama lived a very good life,” he said.

Adeola added that every tribute contained in the funeral programme pointed to one conclusion.

“No one said anything to the contrary except that Mama will be greatly missed. She lived a life of fulfilment. She was prayerful, kind-hearted and devoted to God.

“She ensured everything necessary was done for the success of her family. That is why everyone says Mama has created a vacuum, but by the special grace of God, God will fill that vacuum.”

Delivering the sermon titled, The Alpha and the Omega, the Vice-President (Ministerial) of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev. John Eyinnaya, urged Christians to recognise God’s sovereignty throughout every stage of life.

Preaching from Revelation 1:8, Eyinnaya said, “God is the Alpha and the Omega of our lives. He is the beginning, the end and everything in between.”

He reminded the congregation that God remained actively involved in human affairs.

“My message is simple: God is more involved in your life than you think. He is more involved than you acknowledge and more involved than you sometimes recognise,” he said.

The cleric urged believers to cultivate reverence for God and make Him central to their decisions.

“There are people who live as though God is not part of the equation in their value system and decisions. That should not be said about any one of us. Live in recognition of God because from Him we came and to Him we shall return,” he admonished.