A fresh political storm is brewing within the Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as former governor of the state and senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, has openly declared that he would defeat Governor Dapo Abiodun “overwhelmingly” if the party conducts a transparent senatorial primary ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Daniel made the declaration on Tuesday during an empowerment programme organised by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu–Otunba Gbenga Daniel (BATOGD) Movement in Ijebu-Ode, where hundreds of party supporters and residents gathered for the event, which featured distribution of empowerment materials and free medical outreach.

The former governor insisted that he remained the preferred candidate of party members and grassroots supporters across Ogun East Senatorial District, despite recent moves by some APC stakeholders to endorse Governor Abiodun for the Senate seat.

“Without any doubt, in a free and fair primary, I will not just win, I will win overwhelmingly,” Daniel stated confidently.

“Go to town and check with the people. Ask them questions. You’re here; on your way out, go to the people and ask questions about who is on the ground,” he added.

Allegations of Intimidation and Planned Suppression

Daniel also raised concerns over what he described as alleged plans by certain forces within the ruling party to intimidate members and discourage participation during the APC primary election.

According to him, attempts were already being made to weaken his political structure through intimidation and disruption of political activities.

“What the governor and others depend on is that they’re going to use violence and scare people from coming out to vote,” he alleged.

“And that’s why I’m telling our people that they should not be deterred; they should come out and vote.”

His comments further highlight the widening rift between the two APC heavyweights, whose political relationship has deteriorated significantly in recent weeks over the Ogun East senatorial contest.

Controversy Over Abiodun’s Endorsement

The political tension escalated after a recent APC stakeholders’ meeting in Ogun East reportedly endorsed Governor Abiodun as the consensus candidate for the district’s senatorial seat in 2027.

The meeting, held in Ijebu-Ode, reportedly ended in controversy after Daniel was allegedly denied access to the venue.

Following the meeting, former Ogun East senator, Lekan Mustapha, announced that party leaders had adopted Abiodun as their preferred candidate, citing his perceived competence and political capacity.

“We will put a body together to deliver this message to our governor that he has been adopted as the consensus candidate,” Mustapha reportedly stated.

However, Daniel’s political structure under the BATOGD Movement immediately rejected the endorsement, describing it as unconstitutional and lacking legal standing under the Electoral Act and APC guidelines.

The Deputy Director-General of the movement, Tayo Onayemi, argued that only consensus backed by all aspirants through written agreement or a properly conducted direct primary could be recognised legally.

“There is nothing like endorsement in the Electoral Act recently signed into law by the President,” Onayemi stated.

“What we have is consensus by agreement or direct primaries; anything short of this is null and void.”

Political observers believe the disagreement signals a potentially fierce internal battle within the APC in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.

Development Projects and Governance Criticism

Beyond the political dispute, Daniel also accused the Ogun State Government of frustrating developmental projects he had attracted to Ogun East.

Without providing extensive details, the former governor suggested that political considerations were hindering the implementation of projects intended to benefit residents of the district.

“The biggest problem we have in going ahead with that project is my brother and our governor. And I don’t see why this should be like this,” he said.

Daniel equally criticised the state government over infrastructure deficits and healthcare challenges, particularly the shortage of medical personnel in public health institutions.

“Why has the government not been able to get international staff? We’re going to need more doctors and nurses,” he added.

BATOGD Movement Shows Strength

The former governor pointed to the large turnout at the BATOGD empowerment event as evidence of his enduring political relevance and grassroots support in Ogun East.

According to him, despite what he described as attempts to frustrate the programme, residents still turned out massively in support of his political movement.

“The notice of this meeting was issued two days ago. The people are here standing; they’re trying to stop it again,” Daniel said.

“So, how do you think the party can make progress if you don’t take into account the position and expressions of the masses of people that you see here?”

Battle for Ogun East Takes Centre Stage

With both Daniel and Abiodun already reported to have obtained and submitted APC nomination forms, the contest for Ogun East Senatorial District is gradually emerging as one of the most closely watched political battles in Ogun State ahead of 2027.

The unfolding rivalry is expected to test the internal cohesion of the APC in the state, especially as supporters of both camps intensify mobilisation efforts across the district.

Political analysts say the outcome of the APC primary could significantly reshape the political landscape in Ogun East and influence broader power dynamics within the ruling party in the state.

The governorship electioneering campaign of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji gathered further momentum on Tuesday as the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, led members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign council to Ilawe Ekiti and Igede Ekiti in continuation of the statewide rallies ahead of the June 20 governorship election.

Senator Bamidele, who also serves as Chairman of the APC Governorship Campaign Council, moved round the two major communities alongside Governor Oyebanji and other top party leaders to canvass support for the governor’s second term bid.

The campaign train first arrived in Ilawe Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti South West Local Government Area, before proceeding to Igede Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area, where party supporters, community leaders, youth groups and market women turned out in large numbers to receive the delegation.

Before addressing the campaign rallies in both towns, the delegation paid traditional homage to the monarchs of the two communities and received royal blessings for the forthcoming election.

At Ilawe Ekiti, the team was warmly received by the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi, Afuntade I, while the monarch of Igede Ekiti, Oba James Adelusi Aladesuru II, also hosted the delegation at his palace in Igede Ekiti.

The highly revered traditional rulers offered prayers for peace, progress and a successful outing for Governor Oyebanji in the June 20 governorship election. They also charged political leaders and residents to continue to sustain peace and unity across their communities during and after the electoral process.

Speaking during the rallies, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji appreciated residents of the two local government areas for their consistent support and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to people-oriented governance, infrastructure development, youth empowerment and improved welfare for the people of Ekiti State.

The campaign rallies also featured remarks from prominent party stakeholders including the Director General of the Campaign Council, Cyril Fasuyi, Deputy Director General, Yemi Adaramodu, and several other APC leaders who urged the people to vote massively for Governor Oyebanji in order to consolidate on the achievements already recorded by the administration.

In his address, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele thanked the people of Ekiti South West and Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Areas for their unwavering support for Governor Oyebanji over the last three and a half years.

According to him, the administration of Governor Oyebanji has continued to deliver impactful projects and programmes across critical sectors of the state, including road infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, rural development and social investment.

Senator Bamidele stressed that the governor’s re-election remains the surest path to sustaining the ongoing developmental projects spread across different parts of Ekiti State.

He urged residents not to allow the progress already being witnessed under the Oyebanji administration to be interrupted, adding that continuity in governance would further accelerate growth and bring more dividends of democracy to the grassroots.

The rallies ended with massive support from party faithful and residents who reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Governor Oyebanji and the APC at the June 20 governorship poll.

The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, on Tuesday led the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign train across communities in Ekiti Central Senatorial District ahead of the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State.

Bamidele, who also serves as Chairman of the APC Governorship Electioneering Campaign Council, joined Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji and other party leaders in canvassing support for the governor’s re-election across the five local government areas in the district.

The campaign train visited several towns including Efon Alaaye, Ijero and Ekiti West Local Government Areas, where large crowds of APC supporters turned out to welcome the governor and members of the campaign council.

Speaking during the rallies, Senator Bamidele commended party faithful for their loyalty and commitment to the APC, noting that many supporters came out in large numbers despite their personal and professional engagements.

He expressed appreciation to party members and residents for the warm reception accorded to Governor Oyebanji and other APC leaders during the campaign tour.

The Senate Leader also highlighted what he described as the governor’s impressive achievements in infrastructure development, agriculture, healthcare, education and social welfare, saying the administration’s performance justifies the call for another term in office.

According to him, the re-election of Governor Oyebanji would further accelerate development across Ekiti State and strengthen the APC ahead of the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

Bamidele urged residents of the state to continue supporting the APC administration, assuring them of more democratic dividends if the governor secures a second term in office.