By: Our Correspondent

...urges Nigerians to join him to prevail on them to soft-pedal on any political actions that may go against ruling APC in Ogun 

Olola Faith Daniel, youngest blood-brother to the former governor of Ogun State, Senator Gbenga Daniel, and the Peoples Democratic Party Chairmanship aspirant for Sagamu Local Government council, Adeoye Daniel, has distanced himself and his groups from the political activities of his older brothers in the state.

Faith, who is the Convener and Director General of the OGD Progressive Groomer (OPG) and Ogun Progressive People (OPP), expressed dissatisfaction with the political stance of his two elder brothers, which have been perceived in many quarters in the state to be against the ruling All Progressives Congress and Governor Dapo Abiodun. 

He conveyed his feelings in a Save-our-Soul letter to the political leaders in Ogun State, the ruling All Progressives Congress, supporters, family members, political associates and all Nigerians, raising the alarm that he, his group, supporters, other family members and even his personal business had been at the receiving end of the misconceptions surrounding the political activities of his two elder brothers. 

Faith clarified that he formed both the OPG and OPP to bolster the political base of Senator Gbenga Daniel under the banner of the APC in 2023 and not to work against the interest of the ruling party in the state in any way, as being misconstrued by many now.

He recalled that he voluntarily created the two groups and solely funded their activities with his personal resources running to hundreds of millions of Naira to support his elder brother, OGD's senatorial ambition in 2023 and to also back the APC in the last general elections in the state.

Faith expressed regrets at the negative effects his elder brothers' political stance and decisions have been having on him as an individual, his family, his business interests, political groups and associates.

He however noted, "At no time did we, as a group, or I personally, participate in or take any actions against the interests of the APC or the party’s mission in supporting His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as President of our great nation, Nigeria, or any other APC candidate during the 2023 elections in Ogun State or at the national level, nor to express any grievances against His Excellency, Governor Dapo Abiodun, as has been wrongly speculated and perceived. These groups were at no time aligned with the PDP or Hon. Ladi Adebutu’s gubernatorial campaign or election. Never! 

On Adeoye Daniel's continued foray in the opposition PDP in the state, Faith Daniel said, "One of my other personal intentions after identifying OGD’s concern was to show solidarity towards OGD while distancing myself from my other brother, Mr. Adeoye Daniel, as well as to discredit Mr. Adeoye’s decision to remain in the PDP. He chose not to decamp to the APC with OGD. Despite OGD making the transition to the APC, and my persuasion of Mr. Adeoye to join him, Mr. Adeoye’s choice to remain in the PDP was unchanged, and all my efforts to have him cross over to the APC were unsuccessful. 

"To this day, I remain unclear whether Mr. Adeoye’s choice to stay in the PDP was intentional or prearranged. However, what concerns me most at this crucial time is the gravity of the political decisions made by my elders and how these actions have trickled down to affect me directly."

He added, "Furthermore, I would like to emphasize that OGD Progressive Groomer (OPG) and Ogun Progressive People (OPP) were not established to deceive or manipulate support against the APC. These groups were never created with the intention of working against the APC, nor did we participate in any efforts to undermine the party during the 2023 elections in Ogun State. Any claims to the contrary are completely false, and it is troubling that these untruths have been allowed to spread unchecked.

"As a Daniel, I have experienced firsthand the betrayals and unjust consequences of these political misunderstandings. More distressingly, the groups I have founded and nurtured, such as OPG and OPP, have been left behind in the wake of this political fallout. Despite our unwavering commitment and hard work during the elections, we have been systematically excluded from opportunities and unfairly cast aside due to false assumptions about our loyalty and intention.

"The political decisions made by elders in my family have caused a ripple effect that has unjustly affected not only my personal, professional, and business relationships, but also the members and supporters of my groups. We have been wrongfully perceived as conspirators in actions that we never endorsed, and this perception has led to significant backlash — not just for me, but for all those associated with OPG and OPP. We have missed out on opportunities that should have been available to us, and this isolation is a direct result of misunderstandings and false accusations."

Faith therefore declared, "Let me be unequivocal: I am not my older brothers. I am not OGD or Adeoye Daniel, and my groups have no affiliation with the political turmoil that has ensued. While I hold familial bonds dear, I cannot and will not allow the actions of others to overshadow my future, my dealings with people, or the hard work and integrity of my identity and the groups I have worked tirelessly for. As a group, we are committed to progress and open to future collaborations, with a mission to serve the people and create opportunities for all — not to engage in political manipulation or betrayal.

"I stand here today, alongside my dedicated supporters and the members of OPG and OPP, as we grow every day, to reaffirm our commitment to the causes we believe in and to make it known that we will not be silenced or sidelined. We seek to distance ourselves from these unjust accusations and work to restore the trust and opportunities that have been unfairly taken from us.

"I would like to extend my personal plea as a concerned family member who has felt the direct negative ripple effects of the political decisions made in recent times. The tension, and division have not only impacted me as a family member, but also my personal, professional, and business relationships, leaving me and those associated with me isolated from opportunities in the Nigerian space."

Olola Faith Daniel however appealed to the general public to join him to prevail on his elder brothers to retrace their steps, have a rethink and align themselves with the political reality in Ogun State.

He further stated, "With deep respect, I wish to appeal to the general public for support in urging my elders, His Excellency Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD) and Mr. Adeoye Daniel, to consider the broader consequences of this divisive tactics. The uncertainty and strain it has placed, and will continue to place, on myself and others concerned cannot be ignored. I humbly plead for a soft-pedal approach and for them to reach a mutual consensus in their political moves. This will help to foster an atmosphere of inclusion and clarity, which is crucial for rebuilding trust within our communities and ensuring that supporters, family, associates, and the general public have access to equal opportunities that benefit us all."

Below is the full text of Olola Faith Daniel's SoS' letter:

SAVE OUR SOUL!

A Blood Brother's plea: Calling on Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD) to soft-pedal and a public outcry to address the misconceptions, political fallout, and safeguard our future.

By Faith Daniel

Dear Leaders, Supporters, Family, Associates, and Fellow Citizens,

It is with a heavy heart that I, Faith Daniel, feel compelled to publicly address the growing misconceptions and personal fallout that have deeply caused a decline in my potential opportunity for growth in my personal and business endeavours in the Nigerian society. The current political climate has not only harmed my identity but has also continued to limit and jeopardize future opportunities for the groups I’ve worked tirelessly to build and support. 

Firstly, I would like to address any misunderstanding regarding the activities of my groups: OGD Progressive Groomer (OPG) and Ogun Progressive People (OPP). I want to state clearly that neither of these groups was formed with the intention of working against the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State.

The sole reason for forming OGD Progressive Groomer (OPG) and Ogun Progressive People (OPP) was to work in favour of APC’s interests in 2023 and to support my father-figure and brother, His Excellency, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, OGD’s senatorial ambition as a family member. I played a supportive role as part of my family responsibility as his youngest brother.

I, Faith Daniel, voluntarily created and independently mobilized resources, including finances running to millions of Naira towards the activities of these groups. This was done as a gesture of support for OGD in his senatorial ambition in 2023, and to work in alignment with the interests of the APC during the 2023 elections. 

At no time did we, as a group, or I personally, participate in or take any actions against the interests of the APC or the party’s mission in supporting His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as President of our great nation, Nigeria, or any other APC candidate during the 2023 elections in Ogun State or at the national level, nor to express any grievances against His Excellency, Governor Dapo Abiodun, as has been wrongly speculated and perceived. 

These groups were at no time aligned with the PDP or Hon. Ladi Adebutu’s gubernatorial campaign or election. Never! 

One of my other personal intentions after identifying OGD’s concern was to show solidarity towards OGD while distancing myself from my other brother, Mr. Adeoye Daniel, as well as to discredit Mr. Adeoye’s decision to remain in the PDP. He chose not to decamp to the APC with OGD. Despite OGD making the transition to the APC, and my persuasion of Mr. Adeoye to join him, Mr. Adeoye’s choice to remain in the PDP was unchanged, and all my efforts to have him cross over to the APC were unsuccessful. 

To this day, I remain unclear whether Mr. Adeoye’s choice to stay in the PDP was intentional or prearranged. However, what concerns me most at this crucial time is the gravity of the political decisions made by my elders and how these actions have trickled down to affect me directly.

Furthermore, I would like to emphasize that OGD Progressive Groomer (OPG) and Ogun Progressive People (OPP) were not established to deceive or manipulate support against the APC. These groups were never created with the intention of working against the APC, nor did we participate in any efforts to undermine the party during the 2023 elections in Ogun State. Any claims to the contrary are completely false, and it is troubling that these untruths have been allowed to spread unchecked.

As a Daniel, I have experienced firsthand the betrayals and unjust consequences of these political misunderstandings. More distressingly, the groups I have founded and nurtured, such as OPG and OPP, have been left behind in the wake of this political fallout. Despite our unwavering commitment and hard work during the elections, we have been systematically excluded from opportunities and unfairly cast aside due to false assumptions about our loyalty and intention.

The political decisions made by elders in my family have caused a ripple effect that has unjustly affected not only my personal, professional, and business relationships, but also the members and supporters of my groups. We have been wrongfully perceived as conspirators in actions that we never endorsed, and this perception has led to significant backlash — not just for me, but for all those associated with OPG and OPP. We have missed out on opportunities that should have been available to us, and this isolation is a direct result of misunderstandings and false accusations.

Let me be unequivocal: I am not my older brothers. I am not OGD or Adeoye Daniel, and my groups have no affiliation with the political turmoil that has ensued. While I hold familial bonds dear, I cannot and will not allow the actions of others to overshadow my future, my dealings with people, or the hard work and integrity of my identity and the groups I have worked tirelessly for. As a group, we are committed to progress and open to future collaborations, with a mission to serve the people and create opportunities for all — not to engage in political manipulation or betrayal.

I stand here today, alongside my dedicated supporters and the members of OPG and OPP, as we grow every day, to reaffirm our commitment to the causes we believe in and to make it known that we will not be silenced or sidelined. We seek to distance ourselves from these unjust accusations and work to restore the trust and opportunities that have been unfairly taken from us.

I would like to extend my personal plea as a concerned family member who has felt the direct negative ripple effects of the political decisions made in recent times. The tension, and division have not only impacted me as a family member, but also my personal, professional, and business relationships, leaving me and those associated with me isolated from opportunities in the Nigerian space.

With deep respect, I wish to appeal to the general public for support in urging my elders, His Excellency Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD) and Mr. Adeoye Daniel, to consider the broader consequences of this divisive tactics. The uncertainty and strain it has placed, and will continue to place, on myself and others concerned cannot be ignored. I humbly plead for a soft-pedal approach and for them to reach a mutual consensus in their political moves. This will help to foster an atmosphere of inclusion and clarity, which is crucial for rebuilding trust within our communities and ensuring that supporters, family, associates, and the general public have access to equal opportunities that benefit us all.

This is about more than just politics — this is about the future of everyone's personal and professional or business endeavours, the groups that believed in me, the common good of all, and the people who have supported us along the way. I ask for your continued trust and understanding as we navigate these challenges and work towards a future where our efforts are recognized and our voices are heard.

Thank you all for your time, your belief in our integrity, and your ongoing and continued support.

Signed;

Olola Faith Daniel, 

Founder/Coordinator, 

OGD Progressive Groomers (OPG) & Ogun Progressive People (OPP)