The political rift between Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and his predecessor, Senator Gbenga Daniel, has deepened as both camps traded accusations over political allegiance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Abiodun on Thursday accused Daniel of drifting away from the mainstream of the All Progressives Congress (APC) through what he described as support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu.
Abiodun made the allegation while receiving members of Daniel’s political family and the late Buruji Kashamu’s political group who declared their return to the APC mainstream in Abeokuta.
The governor recalled the 2023 political arrangements, saying he had been advised against supporting Daniel’s emergence as the APC senatorial candidate for Ogun East because of concerns that the former governor could eventually turn against him.
Despite the warning, Abiodun said he supported Daniel because of his respect for him as a former governor and his belief that political disagreements should not diminish the respect owed to former occupants of the office.
“Despite the warnings, he supported Daniel because he respected him as a former governor and his 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 questioned Daniel’s political position following the recent event involving the Gateway Front Foundation, where Adebutu reportedly attended as a prominent guest.
The governor said the development appeared to suggest that Daniel was operating outside the APC mainstream despite his status as a respected political figure in the state.
However, loyalists of Daniel rejected the governor’s claims, insisting that the former governor’s political structure remained intact and committed to his leadership.
The OGD Loyal Coordinators Forum said those who met with Abiodun acted in their personal capacity and did not have the mandate to speak for Daniel’s wider political family.
“The OGD movement is intact, organised, and focused. We reject misrepresentation. Politics of integrity demands clarity of loyalty. Attempts to present a handful of individuals as representing an entire political family are misleading and do not reflect the reality on the ground.”
Daniel’s media aide, Steve Oliyide, also dismissed the claim that the Gateway Front Foundation had been relaunched, explaining that the gathering was a reunion of old and new members of the organisation ahead of its 25th anniversary.
He said Adebutu was an old member of the foundation and questioned why his attendance should be interpreted as evidence of Daniel’s political realignment.
The disagreement comes amid a battle for the APC ticket for the Ogun East senatorial seat in 2027. Daniel, the incumbent senator, is seeking another term, while Abiodun, who will complete his second term as governor in 2027, is also seeking to represent the district in the Senate.
The APC has adopted Abiodun as its consensus candidate, and he subsequently emerged as the party’s candidate for the senatorial seat.
