Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has revealed that he was advised against supporting former governor and current Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, during the 2023 general election over fears that the former governor could eventually oppose him politically.
Abiodun made the disclosure while receiving members of Daniel’s political family and loyalists of the late Senator Buruji Kashamu into the mainstream of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abeokuta.
According to the governor, he chose to support Daniel despite the warnings because of his respect for him as a former governor and his belief that political differences should not undermine the dignity of former office holders.
“Despite the warnings, I supported Daniel because of my respect for him as a former governor and my 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 said.
The governor also recalled a political meeting where, according to him, Daniel expressed uncertainty over who would emerge as the next governor of Ogun State, despite one of the contenders being a member of his political party.
“Now the gloves are off. He is the same person that we heard in an audio saying he had taken someone to court,” Abiodun added.
Abiodun further criticised Daniel over the recent gathering of members of his Gateway Front Foundation, which he described as a relaunch of the organisation and noted that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, was present as a special guest of honour.
He said the development suggested that Daniel was choosing to operate outside the mainstream of the APC, despite his continued status as a respected political figure in the state.
“You know OGD is my leader because he was governor before me. I joined Ogun State politics way before him. Without a doubt, I was a senator-elect in the state in 1996/1997,” Abiodun said.
The governor also warned politicians against abusing political power, stressing that those entrusted with authority should exercise it responsibly.
“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. If you utilise it very well, God will leave it with you for a long time to continue to wield it. If you abuse it, God will take it away from you and give it to somebody else,” he said.
At the meeting held at the Presidential Lodge in Abeokuta, Abiodun welcomed the defectors into the APC and urged politicians with common interests to work together rather than operate across different political parties.
Daniel’s camp reacts
Reacting to the governor’s remarks, Daniel’s media aide, Steve Oliyide, denied that the former governor had relaunched his foundation.
Oliyide explained that the gathering was a reunion of old and new members of the Gateway Front Foundation as part of preparations for its 25th anniversary.
“There was no ‘relaunch’ of the Foundation yet, but a reunion of old and new members of the Gateway Front Foundation to plan for its 25th Anniversary,” he said.
He added that Adebutu was an old member of the foundation and had been involved in its activities for more than two decades.
Daniel’s media office had also previously dismissed a circulating audio allegedly involving the former governor and a respected elder statesman, describing it as manipulated and deliberately doctored.
The office said it had invited law enforcement agencies to investigate the source and alleged manipulation of the recording and stated that its legal team would pursue available civil and criminal remedies against those responsible for its circulation.
The latest exchange comes amid heightened political tension between Abiodun and Daniel ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly over the Ogun East senatorial seat.
Daniel is reportedly seeking another term in the Senate, while Abiodun, whose second tenure as governor ends in 2027, is also seeking the seat.
The APC has adopted Abiodun as its consensus candidate for the 2027 Ogun East senatorial race, and he subsequently emerged as the party’s candidate at its primary election.
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