I Disregarded Cautions Before Endorsing Gbenga Daniel for Senatorial Seat in 2023 – Abiodun

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has revealed that he was advised against supporting former governor and current senator Gbenga Daniel for the Senate during the 2023 general election, due to concerns that Daniel might later oppose him politically.

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Abiodun made this revelation while receiving members of Daniel’s political family and loyalists of the late Senator Buruji Kashamu into the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abeokuta, an event that his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, described as a significant development that would bolster the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

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In a statement issued on Thursday, Abiodun reflected on the 2023 political events, stating that he was cautioned against backing Daniel’s emergence as the APC senatorial candidate due to fears that the former governor could eventually turn against him.

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Despite these warnings, Abiodun supported Daniel, citing his respect for the former governor and his belief that political disagreements should not diminish the respect accorded to former office holders, saying "I just decided that we should honour him because one day, I will also become a former governor."

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Abiodun also recalled a meeting where Daniel expressed uncertainty over who would become the next governor of Ogun State, despite one of the contenders belonging to his political party, and further mentioned an audio recording where Daniel allegedly said he had taken someone to court, saying "Now the gloves are off."

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The governor expressed concern over the recent gathering at Daniel’s foundation, where the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, was reportedly a special guest of honour, which Abiodun saw as an indication that Daniel was operating outside the mainstream of the APC.

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Abiodun stated that his relationship with Daniel had always been guided by respect for the office of governor and the status of former office holders, acknowledging Daniel as his leader since he was governor before him.

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Abiodun also shared his own political journey, warning against the misuse of power, saying "You don’t begin to act as if you are God, you don’t begin to play as if you are an emperor, God gives us power and looks at how we use it."

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At the meeting held at the Presidential Lodge in Abeokuta, Abiodun commended the defectors for joining the APC and urged politicians with shared interests to speak with one voice rather than work for different parties.

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Daniel’s media aide, Steve Oliyide, denied that the former governor had relaunched any foundation, insisting that the gathering was merely a reunion of old and new members of the Gateway Front Foundation ahead of its 25th anniversary.

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Oliyide explained that Hon. Ladi Adebutu, who attended the event, is an old member of the Foundation and played a significant role in it, and that there was no need for a special guest of honour at such an event.

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Daniel’s media office had earlier distanced the senator from a circulating audio recording, describing it as manipulated and fabricated, and invited law enforcement agencies to investigate the source of the recording and the motives behind its circulation.

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The office also instructed its legal team to pursue civil and criminal remedies against those connected to the audio's manipulation and dissemination, calling for an end to such "shenanigans" in politics.

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The exchange between Abiodun and Daniel comes amid growing tension over the 2027 Ogun East senatorial ticket, with Daniel reportedly seeking another term in the Senate and Abiodun, who will complete his second term as governor next year, also believed to be interested in the seat.

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The APC has adopted Abiodun as its consensus candidate for the 2027 Ogun East Senate race, and he was subsequently declared winner of the party’s primary election.