Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has accused Senator Gbenga Daniel of sponsoring negative media attacks against him amid growing tensions within the All Progressives Congress in the state.
Abiodun made the allegation on Tuesday during the Ogun East APC stakeholders’ meeting, days after he was endorsed as the party’s consensus candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.
The development comes after Daniel, a former governor of the state, was barred from a recent APC caucus meeting in Ijebu-Ode where Abiodun was endorsed.
The senator had rejected the outcome of the meeting, describing decisions taken there as “null and void.”
Despite the consensus arrangement, Daniel went ahead to purchase the APC nomination form to seek re-election to the Senate.
Speaking at the meeting, Abiodun recounted his political relationship with Daniel, highlighting his role in supporting the senator’s emergence.
“I was here when Amosun became governor. I was here when Governor Daniel was governor. I actually ran against Governor Daniel then,” he said.
“But as soon as he emerged from the primaries, I was one of the first to congratulate him. I gave him all my structures. I delivered them to him and supported him.”
The governor further claimed he played a decisive role in Daniel’s political rise.
“I know what I did for Governor Daniel to become a senator. I have never said this publicly, and I am saying it now,” Abiodun said.
“I know what my intervention was to get them to step down for him to emerge as senator.”
Abiodun also said he facilitated Daniel’s return to the APC upon assuming office as governor.
“I held his hand to ensure that he was integrated back into the party. These are facts,” he said.
He added, “If Governor Daniel now believes that the only way to repay me is by sponsoring negative media attacks against me, I leave him to his conscience.”
The governor expressed appreciation for the support of APC leaders in Ogun East, assuring them of his commitment.
“We are equally confident that Ogun East, alongside the entire state, will stand united to deliver Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola as the next governor of Ogun State,” he said.
He also pledged strong support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that Ogun would deliver the highest number of votes in the South-West.