As Ogun State marks its golden jubilee, fifty years of political evolution, economic experimentation, and social transformation, this invites a moment of sober reflection.
Beyond the metrics of growth and the monuments of infrastructure lies a more profound question: what ideological currents have shaped governance in the “Gateway State”?
In a national political landscape largely defined by opportunism and ideological vacuity, the experience of Ogun State under Engineer Otunba Justus Gbenga Daniel (OGD) stands as a compelling counterpoint.
The Crisis of Ideological Emptiness
One of the enduring banes of Nigerian politics is the near-total absence of ideology in governance. Contemporary political parties have largely abandoned coherent philosophical foundations, reducing politics to a mere vehicle for the acquisition of power and the primitive accumulation of wealth. Programs remain fluid, principles are negotiable, and governance is often disconnected from any vision of collective progress.
Against this backdrop, the administration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel represented a refreshing deviation from the norm. Despite being a successful business aristocrat, OGD pursued governance anchored in a clearly articulated framework: Pragmatic Socialism.
The Essence of Pragmatic Socialism
OGD’s political engagement was neither accidental nor superficial. Rooted in a conscious effort to liberate the people from tyranny, oppression, and exploitation, his leadership demonstrated that ideology can—and must—coexist with pragmatism. His tenure was defined by:
• Inclusive Governance: Deliberate efforts to integrate youth, women, and persons living with disabilities into the political process.
Equitable Industrialization: A comprehensive developmental strategy that spanned all three senatorial districts.
• Glocalisation: A sophisticated engagement with globalisation that promoted the “indigenisation” of expertise.
By encouraging technological transfer from the diaspora, OGD laid the sustainable foundation for Ogun’s current status as Nigeria’s foremost industrial hub.
The Awolowo Lineage
OGD’s humility and business pedigree often obscured the depth of his radical ideological orientation. Long before assuming executive office, he cut his political teeth as a student leader within the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), founded by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. This formative experience placed him squarely within the Awolowo school of thought—an ideological tradition grounded in social justice, welfarism, and a principled opposition to injustice.
This lineage is eloquently captured by Chief C.O. Adebayo, who noted thus:
“The antecedents of Daniel as a disciple of the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo situate him in the line of my own apprenticeship in the Awolowo school of politics and vision. Gbenga and I served in different capacities, and at different times, in the politics of the Second Republic under the inspirational leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the Unity Party of Nigeria. Imbued with the efficient order of the late sage and his principled opposition to injustice—which some erroneously dubbed rigidity—Gbenga and I found ourselves in the trenches during the protracted June 12 struggle”
The Intellectual Validation of Pragmatic Socialism
Further intellectual validation of OGD’s ideological orientation was offered by Professor Femi Odekunle, the renowned sociologist of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Odekunle observed that Governor Daniel’s leadership must be understood through the lens of his background, antecedents, and deliberate preparation—qualities notably absent in many contemporary public office holders. Well-educated, professionally accomplished, and deeply conscious of his social responsibility, Daniel was described by Odekunle as being “ideologically rooted in Chief Awolowo’s pragmatic socialism.”
Defining the Framework
Conceptually, Pragmatic Socialism represents a flexible, results-oriented pursuit of social equity. It prioritises practical, incremental reforms over rigid dogma or total state control, allowing social regulation and the public interest to thrive alongside market mechanisms and private enterprise. Its ultimate focus is utilitarian: reducing inequality, enhancing systemic efficiency, and delivering tangible benefits to the citizenry.
OGD’s capacity to adapt to prevailing economic realities—most notably through the strategic deployment of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP)—became a defining hallmark of his administration.
His governance was characterised by:
• Equitable Resource Distribution: Ensuring that growth was not confined to a single enclave but spread across the state’s diverse geography.
• Measurable Outcomes: Moving beyond political rhetoric to data-driven service delivery.
• Institutional Continuity: Laying the groundwork for Ogun State’s current industrial success.
Conclusion: A Legacy for the Next Fifty Years
As Ogun State celebrates its golden jubilee, the legacy of this often-unsung pioneer deserves renewed scholarly and public attention.
The foundations OGD laid for the state’s industrial ascent remain central to its contemporary success.
In reflecting on the past to chart a course for the future, the story of ideological governance—anchored in pragmatic socialism and people-centred development—must remain on the front burner. It serves as a reminder that for a state to truly flourish, its leaders must possess both the technical competence to build and the ideological conviction to serve.
Omo Ogun Ise Ya!
Comrade Ismail Olawale
