Olawunmi Ajibike
The political rift between Dapo Abiodun and Gbenga Daniel has escalated, with the governor accusing the senator of ingratitude despite his alleged support during the 2023 elections.
The disagreement, which has been simmering for months, worsened after some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun East reportedly excluded Daniel from a stakeholders’ meeting in Ijebu-Ode and endorsed Abiodun as the party’s consensus candidate from the district.
Dissatisfied with the development, Daniel proceeded to obtain the APC senatorial nomination form to contest again for the Ogun East seat in the 2027 general elections, despite the governor’s interest and backing from party leadership.
Speaking at an APC stakeholders’ meeting in Ogun East on Tuesday, Abiodun maintained that he played a pivotal role in Daniel’s return to the party and his eventual emergence as senator, suggesting that such support had not been reciprocated.
However, Daniel’s media office swiftly dismissed the governor’s claims, describing them as inaccurate and a distortion of facts.
In a statement dated April 29, 2026, the senator’s media team said it was compelled to respond following multiple requests for clarification over remarks allegedly made by Abiodun at a private gathering in Iperu.
The statement criticised the governor for making what it termed unverified assertions in a closed-door setting, arguing that such claims had not been subjected to public scrutiny.
It further emphasised that Daniel’s political standing in Ogun State remains strong and independent, insisting that his influence is not reliant on external endorsement or support.