There’s a growing political divide between Gbenga Daniel and Dapo Abiodun that’s really heating up. The former governor, now a senator, is pushing back against claims about how he achieved his electoral victories.
In a statement from his media office, Daniel, who represents Ogun East as part of the All Progressives Congress (APC), accused Governor Abiodun of trying to “rewrite history” when it comes to both his 2003 governorship win and his 2023 senatorial success.
The tension started when Abiodun made comments suggesting he had a significant role in Daniel’s rise to the governorship in 2003 under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Daniel quickly shot down that idea, insisting that his victory was fueled by the grassroots efforts of the Gateway Front Foundation, a political movement he had nurtured over the years.
While he acknowledged that Abiodun was a supporter back then, Daniel emphasized that the election was primarily influenced by a broad public shift away from the ruling Alliance for Democracy (AD), rather than the influence of any one political figure.
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This disagreement has also spilled over into the 2023 elections, with Abiodun reportedly claiming that his political network helped Daniel secure his Senate seat.
Daniel’s team has pushed back against that claim, arguing that the governor didn’t actually support his candidacy. The senator pointed to his clear victory in Ogun East as proof of his independent political strength, especially when compared to the closer results seen in the gubernatorial race in the same area.
Supporters of the senator argue that his long-standing political network, built over decades, remains the foundation of his electoral success.
Political observers say the exchange reflects a broader contest for influence within the Ogun State chapter of the APC. Since Daniel’s defection to the party and subsequent election, internal divisions have reportedly emerged between factions aligned with the governor and those loyal to the former governor.
With early alignments ahead of the 2027 elections already taking shape, the ongoing friction could pose challenges for party cohesion in the state. While aides to Governor Abiodun insist he remains the party’s leader in Ogun, Daniel’s allies argue that his political legacy and grassroots reach continue to carry significant weight.