By Our Reporter
The political battle between Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and former governor, Senator Gbenga Daniel, has taken a fresh turn, with rival camps laying claim to the loyalty of members of Daniel’s political structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The latest development followed Abiodun’s reception of some members of the Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD) political family and supporters of the late Senator Buruji Kashamu into the mainstream of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
At a meeting held at the Presidential Lodge in Abeokuta on Thursday, Abiodun described the move as a major boost to the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
The governor also questioned Daniel’s current political position, particularly his association with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu.
Abiodun said Adebutu’s presence at a recent gathering connected with Daniel’s foundation raised concerns about whether the former governor remained committed to the APC mainstream.
He recalled that he supported Daniel’s emergence as the APC candidate for Ogun East Senatorial District in 2023 despite warnings from some political associates that the former governor could eventually turn against him.
According to Abiodun, his decision was motivated by respect for Daniel as a former governor and his belief that political disagreements should not erase respect for former office holders.
The governor also referred to a purported audio recording involving Daniel, saying, “Now the gloves are off.”
Daniel’s camp, however, rejected the governor’s interpretation of recent political developments and insisted that the former governor’s political family remained intact.
The OGD Loyal Coordinators Forum, in a statement signed by Kolade Segun-Okeowo, Yekeen Adesanya and Jide Onadeko, said the individuals who met with Abiodun had acted in their personal capacities.
The group maintained that they neither had the mandate nor approval of the wider OGD political family to announce any change in loyalty.
It said the decision of the individuals could therefore not be interpreted as the position of Daniel’s wider political structure.
“The OGD movement is intact, organised, and focused,” the forum declared.
Daniel’s media aide, Steve Oliyide, also challenged Abiodun’s description of the recent Gateway Front Foundation gathering as a “relaunch.”
Oliyide explained that the event was a reunion of old and new members of the foundation ahead of its 25th anniversary, adding that Adebutu was an old member of the organisation and had attended in that capacity.
The former governor’s media office had separately dismissed a purported audio recording referenced by Abiodun, describing it as manipulated and doctored to damage Daniel’s reputation.
The office said law enforcement agencies had been invited to investigate the source and circulation of the recording and that Daniel’s legal team had been instructed to pursue available legal remedies.
The fresh exchange comes amid an escalating political dispute over the APC’s Ogun East senatorial ticket.
Daniel, who currently represents Ogun East in the Senate, had sought another term, while Abiodun, who is due to leave office as governor in May 2027, also sought the senatorial ticket.
The dispute has transformed the Ogun APC contest into a broader struggle for political influence between the governor and his predecessor.
The development also comes as the APC prepares for the 2027 elections, with Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, emerging as the party’s consensus governorship candidate in Ogun State.
With both camps now publicly asserting their respective positions, the latest confrontation is expected to further shape the battle for control of the APC structure in Ogun East and the wider political landscape of the state ahead of 2027.
