Ogun East Senator, Gbenga Daniel, has vowed to only participate in primary elections that are free, fair and credible.
Speaking to Vanguard via his media aide, Steve Oliyide, the lawmaker stated that he would not condone any process whose outcome appeared predetermined.
He was reacting to the alleged imposition of consensus candidates by some All Progressives Congress (APC)
He argued that democracy must be protected from practices that undermine the integrity of party primaries.
He stated, “Any electoral exercise whose outcome appears predetermined will fail the test of credibility and fairness.
“Genuine democratic contests must allow party members to freely decide their preferred candidates without external interference.”
Daniel noted that the conduct of the House of Representatives primaries would serve as a litmus test for the credibility of the entire process.
He urged party leaders to ensure transparent primaries that inspire confidence among members and the wider public.
Meanwhile, Daniel has boasted that he would defeat Governor Dapo Abiodun overwhelmingly in the forthcoming senatorial primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election.
The Senator representing Ogun East spoke on Tuesday during an empowerment programme organised by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu–Otunba Gbenga Daniel (BATOGD) Movement in Ijebu-Ode
He insisted that he remained the popular choice among party members and district residents.
“Without any doubt, in a free and fair primary, I will not just win, I will win overwhelmingly,” Daniel declared.
“Go to town and check with the people. Ask them questions. You’re here; on your way out, go to the people and ask questions about who is on the ground.”
He alleged that some forces within the party were planning to intimidate members and suppress voter participation during the primary election.
“What the governor and others depend on is that they’re going to use violence and scare people from coming out to vote. And that’s why I’m telling our people that they should not be deterred; they should come out and vote,” he said.
The rivalry between Daniel and Abiodun has deepened in recent weeks following an APC stakeholders’ meeting in Ogun East, where the governor was reportedly endorsed as the consensus candidate for the district’s senatorial seat.
Daniel was reportedly prevented from entering the venue of the meeting held in Ijebu-Ode.
During Tuesday’s event, Daniel accused the Ogun State Government of frustrating developmental projects he had been facilitating in Ogun East.
“The biggest problem we have in going ahead with that project is my brother and our governor. And I don’t see why this should be like this,” he said
He further criticised the state government for the district’s infrastructure and healthcare challenges.
The former governor questioned why the government had allegedly failed to improve medical staffing and public health facilities.
“Why has the government not been able to get international staff? We’re going to need more doctors and nurses,” he added.
Daniel also cited the large turnout at the BATOGD event as evidence of his grassroots support.
“The notice of this meeting was issued two days ago. The people are here standing; they’re trying to stop it again.
“So, how do you think the party can make progress if you don’t take into account the position and expressions of the masses of people that you see here?” he said.