Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has confirmed his pivotal role in Gbenga Daniel’s 2003 gubernatorial victory and his subsequent 2023 senatorial win on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform, while announcing his own bid for the Ogun East Senate seat in 2027. Speaking at a closed-door APC stakeholders meeting held at his Iperu Remo residence on Tuesday night, Abiodun revealed that he had long supported Daniel’s political aspirations, even stepping aside in 2003 when he lost the PDP governorship ticket to Daniel. He emphasized that he handed over his party structures to Daniel to ensure his success and also intervened to convince then-deputy governor Segun Adesegun and incumbent senator Lekan Mustapha to withdraw from the 2023 senatorial race, paving the way for Daniel’s emergence as the APC candidate.
Despite this history of support, Abiodun expressed disappointment that Daniel chose to contest the same seat in 2027, especially after APC leaders at a recent caucus meeting in Ijebu-Ode had unanimously adopted Abiodun as the consensus candidate. In a viral video from the meeting, Abiodun stated that if Daniel felt the only way to repay his years of loyalty was through media attacks and negative publicity, then he would leave the matter to Daniel’s conscience. He reiterated that his contributions to Daniel’s political success were not publicly known until now, but were factual and undeniable.
Abiodun, who has served as governor since 2019, promised to deliver exceptional representation if elected to the Senate. He told the gathering that he had never disappointed the people of Ogun State since assuming office and vowed to bring the same dedication to Ogun East. “I will not be a back bencher,” he declared. “I will not be someone who goes to the Senate just to sit and look. I will offer the best representation ever in the history of the Red Chamber.” His commitment was underscored by his pledge to serve with integrity and purpose, ensuring that the district’s interests are championed at the national level.
The announcement comes amid growing political tension within the APC in Ogun State, as Daniel’s decision to purchase the nomination form signals a direct challenge to Abiodun’s declared candidacy. With the 2027 elections approaching, the race for the Ogun East Senate seat is expected to intensify, drawing attention to the evolving dynamics within the party and the personal histories that shape political alliances. As Abiodun steps into the national arena, his campaign will likely center on his record of governance and his promise to bring transformative leadership to the Senate.
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