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.
