Ogun East stakeholders lock out Daniel at Abiodun’s senatorial endorsement meeting

Senator Gbenga Daniel started a battle yesterday to retain his Ogun East Senatorial seat after stakeholders in the district picked Governor Dapo Abiodun as consensus All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the January 16 election.

To the former Ogun State governor’s discomfiture, he was shut out at the Adeola Odutola Hall venue of the endorsement meeting in Ijebu Ode.

While the meeting was ongoing, Daniel, and his supporters remained outside inside the bus that brought them.

The former governor addressed his supporters, saying what happened was self-endorsement by Governor Abiodun, which he rejected as null and void.

He evoked the spirit of Ijebu, singing a song: Isale Ijebu o e, Isale Ijebu o a…, which his supporters chorused in defiance.

But, supporters of the governor said Daniel was asked to come into the venue, but he declined, insisting that his supporters should be allowed to go with him into the hall.

The source said the meeting turned the request down because the supporters were not stakeholders and not part of the meeting.

This was denied by the Daniel’s camp.

Yesterday’s incident shattered the perceived peace in the political situation demonstrated in Ogun State last week when all leaders, including all former governors, came together in Abeokuta, the state capital to endorse Senator Solomon Adeola (also known as Yayi) as the consensus governorship candidate.

As the drama played out outside, the meeting endorsed Governor Abiodun, who was not present, as the consensus senatorial candidate.

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The motion for his endorsement was moved by Senator Lekan Mustapha, who previously represented the district.

It was jointly seconded by chiefs Kola Ogunjobi and Segun Osibote.

Senator Mustapha said the decision was driven by a shared conviction that Governor Abiodun possesses the capacity to represent the district effectively at the Senate.

 “We will put a body together to deliver this message to our governor that he has been adopted as the consensus candidate,” Mustapha said, describing Abiodun as a leader of strong character and sound intellect.

Abiodun’s endorsement was announced at the well-attended meeting that attracted a broad coalition of party leaders and grassroots representatives from across the district.

The event drew members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), former and serving local government chairmen, past and present lawmakers at the state and national levels, councillors from all wards in the district, as well as women and youth leaders.

In attendance were: all councillors across Ogun East; all ward chairmen; all ward executives; all local government chairmen; all local government executives; all serving members of the National Assembly; all serving members of the State House of Assembly; all past members of the State and National Assembly; and all members of the Elders Advisory Council.

Secretary to the State Government Tokunbo Talabi noted that the governor’s track record in governance and party cohesion made him deserving of the Senate seat.

“This endorsement is historic and unanimous. It reflects the collective belief that Prince Dapo Abiodun is the right person for the position,” he stated.

House of Representatives member Femi Ogunbanwo, (Odogbolu, Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu Northeast Federal Constituency) said the governor’s administration has fostered peace and development across the state, expressing confidence that he would attract more dividends of democracy to Ogun East at the national level.

Sagamu Local Government Chairman Afolabi Odulate, commended the governor’s performance and reiterated the district’s collective appeal for him to accept the senatorial bid.

But a Media Consultant to Senator Daniel, Steve Oliyide, accused Abiodun of orchestrating a controversial endorsement aimed at pressuring President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 senatorial race.

Oliyide, who spoke for the Ogun East senator, said the stakeholders’ meeting was manipulated to serve as a platform for self-endorsement, contrary to party guidelines and presidential directive.He insisted that Daniel was prevented from attending the meeting, a development he described as undemocratic and a breach of established political norms.

Oliyide said: “What happened today (yesterday) was a flagrant disobedience to a presidential directive. You cannot assemble your appointees - commissioners, councillors and others on government payroll - and expect them to endorse you. That amounts to self-endorsement, which is against the spirit and letter of our party’s constitution.”

He dismissed the outcome of the meeting as lacking legitimacy, insisting it did not reflect the collective will of genuine stakeholders in Ogun East.

“As far as we are concerned, there was no endorsement. What took place was merely a jamboree – an entertainment gathering of government appointees.”

Oliyide further alleged that the move was a calculated attempt to “ambush” the President and stampede him into taking a position on the senatorial contest.

“As far as we are concerned, there was no endorsement. It was merely an entertainment event attended by people on the government’s payroll,” he added.

On the next line of action, he said Senator Daniel and his supporters would await guidance from the party’s national leadership.

“We have already endorsed the President for a second term. As for the senatorial candidate, we will abide by the directive of the party at the national level,” he said.

On whether a formal petition would be submitted, Oliyide said the group would rely on the President’s ability to address the issue.

“The President has shown the capacity to correct wrongs. We trust him and the party leadership to handle this appropriately,” he added.

Political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections have begun to gather momentum across Ogun State, particularly within the ruling APC.

Ogun East Senatorial District, a key political bloc in the state, is expected to play a decisive role in determining the party’s senatorial candidate.

Senator Daniel has remained a central player in ongoing consultations.

Prominent figures in attendance included former senators Gbenga Kaka and Lekan Mustapha, Ogun East APC Chairman Adedoyin Adeleke and respected party elders such as Kola Ogunjobi, Bayo Dayo, Durojaye, Pegba Otemolu, James Dina, and Osibote Amoran.

Others are notable political figures and mobilisers including Femi Nuberu, Yinka Adeleye, Jokotade Kasimawo, Toyin Jekami, Kuburat Arigbabu, Aremu Babatunde, Ojuroye, Tajudeen Adedeko, Adefowora Akeem, Blessed Ogunsola, Ogunnde Razaki, and Sakiru Folorunso.

Members of the House of Representatives from the district — Adesola Elegbeji, Joseph Adegbesan, and Femi Ogunbanwo — also attended in solidarity, underscoring the widespread backing for the governor’s anticipated senatorial bid.