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Something new is happening on the political landscape of Ogun State. It is what has been creatively dubbed Ogidi politics. Ogidi? Yes, that is the Yoruba word which if creely translated into English language would mean 'undiluted', 'original', 'genuine', 'authentic' or 'unadulterated.'

Wealthy Lagos-based industrialist-businessman and philanthropist, Otunba Gbenga Daniel made a formal grand entry into politics, declaring for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last September 2. It was indeed a mammoth crowd, unprecedented in the South-west that ushered the man into what you wouldn't call the 'traditional' party of the South-westerners.

Isn't the entire geo-political zone 'colonised' by the Alliance for Democracy (AD)? Where then did Daniel get that massive crowd? That is Ogidi politics in action for you. Undiluted, unadulterated, changing the configuration of events not only in Ogun State but the entire geo-political zone.

What are the features of the politics espoused by the 'Ogidi Omo' the sobriquet Gbenga Daniel has adopted as he enters the fray. Ogidi Omo? Yes, that means "original son', 'authentic son', or 'undiluted.' A freeborn, thorough breed of Ogun State. And the man's political caucus is called Otunba Gbenga Daniel Campaign Organisation (OGDCO), an offshoot of the Gateway Front Foundation (GFF) which had been established early last year.

What are the features of Ogidi politics as championed by Gbenga Daniel? Unique. Remarkable. Afenifere in PDP, sacrilege? No, don't blow your top yet. Yes, Afenifere in PDP. How can? Haven't we been told that the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere and the Alliance for Democracy (AD) are one and the same Siamese twins, inseparable? But here comes a gladiator, playing the political game as an Afenifere in PDP.

Otunba Daniel has been a long-standing supporter, member and financier of Afenifere and you would naturally expect him to throw his political hat into the ring on the platform of the AD. So what is his explanation for the 'coup'? Daniel addressed the issue in his September 2nd declaration which took place at the palace ground of the Akarigbo of Remo-land, Sagamu, Ogun State: "I am convinced that it is the path to take if we must consolidate the tentative gains that we have recorded in our politics and governance in the past couple of years, and make these gains permanent and enduring."

This new breed politician had not been one to shy away from taking momentous decisions and identifying publicly with it. When sometime last year, some key Afenifere members felt that there should be another umbrella body for the Yoruba, both at home and in the diaspora, which would be non-political and all encompassing, Otunba Daniel was one of those who successfully midwifed the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), even while still retaining his Afenifere identity. What mattered most to him was the welfare and well-being of the larger dumber of Yoruba people. Despite all odds, Daniel funded the formation of YCE, a fact testified to recently by the scribe of the body, Justice Adewale Thompson, when he declared: "It was Gbenga Daniel who assisted me financially to fund the formation of the YCE. When Afenifere discovered that, they unleashed terror on the young man. They removed all his friends and relations from positions in Ogun State and threatened his life and that of his wife. He had to join PDP when he discovered that Afenifere was out to destroy the Gateway Front Foundation which he found." So that is the genesis of Afenifere in PDP, a development that promises to burgeon as the days go by.

Another unique feature of Ogidi politics is the emphasis placed on ideas and seminal contributions rather than money. Gbenga Daniel is blessed. Make no mistake about that. He is quite wealthy, having become very successful as an engineer in the lift/elevator and generator business. He owns Kresta Laurel Nigeria Limited, whose ultra-modern head office is in Maryland area of Lagos. But he has not approached politics as a 'moneybag' who wants to buy up everything and everyone. Repeatedly, he has said to the hearing of this writer: "Though money would be spent, it would not be the main thing. We would not throw money at it as if that is what can open all doors, but we would rather approach it from the angle of ideas and offering ourselves to serve so that a fundamental change can be achieved."