Ogun State Government and Gbenga Daniel Clash Over Abiodun's Adoption as APC Senatorial Candidate

The Ogun State Government and former governor Gbenga Daniel have traded words over the adoption of Governor Dapo Abiodun as the consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Ogun East Senatorial District. The state government described Mr Daniel's criticism of the endorsement as the "rantings of a drowning politician." Mr Daniel's criticism won't go unchallenged.

The state government didn't mince words. They described Mr Daniel's criticism as the rantings of a politician who's struggling to stay afloat. But Mr Daniel described the endorsement as "a deceptive political move driven by desperation, inducement, and coercion" and insisted on a primary election to pick the party's candidate for the senatorial poll. He won't back down.

Governor Abiodun was adopted by leaders and stakeholders of the APC in Ogun East Senatorial District as the consensus candidate for the 2027 senatorial election. The endorsement was witnessed by senior APC leaders, including the party's consensus governorship candidate in Ogun State, Olamilekan Adeola. They're all backing Governor Abiodun.

Presenting Mr Abiodun to leaders and stakeholders of the zone, Segun Adesegun said party members across the district had unanimously endorsed the governor as the APC consensus candidate for Ogun East Senatorial District. He didn't say it was a tough decision. Lekan Mustapha, Chairman of Ogun East Senatorial District, said the adoption was the collective decision of the people of the district. It's aimed at ensuring effective and quality representation at the National Assembly. They're counting on Governor Abiodun.

In his remarks, Adeleke Ogundoyin, Chairman of APC in Ogun East Zone, formally presented the governor to the Ogun State APC chairman. He urged the state leadership to forward his name to the party's national secretariat as the APC candidate for Ogun East Senatorial District. It's a done deal.

Responding to the endorsement, Mr Abiodun expressed appreciation to leaders, stakeholders, and delegates of Ogun East Senatorial District for the confidence reposed in him. He described the consensus arrangement as a demonstration of unity, political maturity, and shared commitment to the progress of the district and the state. It's a big win for him.

However, Mr Daniel accused Governor Abiodun of neglecting Ijebuland, frustrating federal projects facilitated by him, and causing Ogun State to lose the proposed Dangote Refinery project. He also accused him of opposing the establishment of a naval base in Abigi. Mr Daniel won't let it go. He added that the repeated endorsements suggested fear of a transparent primary election. They're not convinced.

"I have reached the point of no return in this contest. On the day of the primary election, every APC member should go to his or her ward with their membership card and vote for the candidate of their choice." Mr Daniel won't back down.

The Ogun State Government maintained that residents of Ogun State, particularly in Ijebuland, remain appreciative of the developmental strides of the Abiodun administration. They're grateful for the infrastructure renewal and road rehabilitation. The government also faulted Senator Daniel's comparison of federal allocations received during his tenure as governor with those accruing to the current administration. They say he's ignoring the facts.

The government accused him of deliberately ignoring prevailing economic realities and the sharp depreciation of the naira. It's not a fair comparison. On Mr Daniel's allegation that Governor Abiodun frustrated the Dangote Refinery project in Ogun State, the government described the claim as false. It's contrary to publicly available facts.

The Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Abiodun, Kayode Akinmade, dismissed Mr Daniel's allegations as baseless, politically motivated, and symptomatic of a politician battling declining influence within the APC. He won't take it seriously.

The Ogun State Government maintained that Governor Abiodun remains focused on governance and the delivery of developmental projects across the state. He won't be distracted by political opponents. Despite the criticisms, Governor Abiodun is staying on track.