Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has disclosed that he was advised not to support former governor and current senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, for the Senate during the 2023 general election because of fears that the former governor might later oppose him politically.
The governor made the revelation while receiving members of Daniel’s political family and loyalists of the late Senator Buruji Kashamu into the mainstream of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abeokuta.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, Abiodun described the return of the political groups as an important development that would strengthen the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reflecting on the political events of 2023, the governor said he was cautioned against supporting Daniel’s emergence as the APC senatorial candidate because of concerns that the former governor could eventually turn against him.
“Despite the warnings, I supported Daniel because of my respect for him as a former governor and my belief that political disagreements should not diminish the respect accorded former occupants of the office.
“I just decided that we should honour him because one day, I will also become a former governor.”
Abiodun also recalled a political meeting during which, according to him, Daniel expressed uncertainty over who would become the next governor of Ogun State, despite one of the contenders belonging to his political party.
“Now the gloves are off. He is the same person that we heard in an audio saying he had taken someone to court,” Abiodun added.
The governor further expressed concern over what he described as the recent relaunch of Daniel’s foundation, where the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, was reportedly a special guest of honour.
According to Abiodun, the development appeared to indicate that Daniel had chosen to operate outside the mainstream of the APC, despite remaining a respected political figure in Ogun State.
He said his relationship with the former governor had always been guided by respect for the office of governor and the status of former office holders.
“You know OGD is my leader because he was governor before me. I joined Ogun State politics way before him. Without a doubt, I was a senator-elect in the state in 1996/1997,” Abiodun said.
The governor also reflected on his political journey and cautioned against the misuse of political power.
“You don’t begin to act as if you are God. You don’t begin to play as if you are an emperor. God gives us power and looks at how we use it. If you utilise it very well, God will leave it with you for a long time to continue to wield it. If you abuse it, God will take it away from you and give it to somebody else,” he said.
At the meeting held at the Presidential Lodge in Abeokuta, Abiodun commended the defectors for aligning with the APC and urged politicians with shared interests to speak with one voice rather than work for different political parties.
In response, Daniel’s media aide, Steve Oliyide, denied that the former governor had relaunched any foundation, insisting that the gathering was merely a reunion of old and new members of the Gateway Front Foundation ahead of its 25th anniversary.
“There was no ‘relaunch’of the Foundation yet, but a reunion of old and new members of the Gateway Front Foundation to plan for its 25th Anniversary. I am not sure if there was ever any need for a Special Guest of Honour at such an event.
“Hon. Ladi Adebutu is also an old member of the Foundation, except the writer is asking that an old member of over 20 years should be excused from an event in which he played a significant role simply because of his political ambition to please some other people.”
Daniel’s media office had earlier distanced the senator from a circulating audio recording, describing it as manipulated and fabricated.
“The OGD Media Office has been inundated with enquiries regarding a purportedly leaked private conversation allegedly involving His Excellency, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, and a respected elder statesman.
“For the records, this Office became aware of the existence of the audio over six weeks ago, following attempts by its purveyors to deploy the maliciously doctored recording as an instrument of political blackmail, coercion, intimidation, and other criminal ends.
“The audio in circulation is a manipulated and deliberately doctored material, calculated to mislead the public, malign the reputation of His Excellency, and advance a premeditated political agenda.
“Accordingly, the appropriate law enforcement agencies have been formally invited to investigate the source of the recording, those responsible for its manipulation and dissemination, and the criminal motives behind its circulation.
“In addition, our legal team has been instructed to pursue all available civil and criminal remedies against every individual or group connected with this orchestrated campaign of calumny, defamation, malicious falsehood, and cybercrime.This shenanigans must stop in our body politics.”
The exchange comes amid growing political tension between Abiodun and Daniel over the 2027 Ogun East senatorial ticket. Daniel is reportedly seeking another term in the Senate, while Abiodun, who will complete his second term as governor next year, is also believed to be interested in the seat.
The APC has since adopted Abiodun as its consensus candidate for the 2027 Ogun East Senate race, and he was subsequently declared winner of the party’s primary election.
