Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun East have endorsed Governor Dapo Abiodun as their consensus candidate for the 2027 senatorial election, in a move that has intensified political tension within the district after sitting senator Gbenga Daniel was denied entry to the same meeting where the decision was taken.
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The endorsement was announced on Monday at a stakeholders’ gathering held at Adeola Odutola Hall in Ijebu-Ode. The meeting drew a broad coalition of party leaders, including members of the Governor’s Advisory Council, serving and former lawmakers, local government chairmen, councillors, and grassroots mobilisers from across Ogun East.
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However, the process was overshadowed by the absence of Daniel, who arrived at the venue with supporters but was prevented from gaining access. In a video that has circulated widely, the former governor was seen addressing his supporters from his campaign bus, questioning the legitimacy of the meeting.
“We are here for our Ogun East APC caucus meeting, but surprisingly, we have been barred; we are told that we can’t enter,” he said, adding that any decisions taken at the gathering should be considered invalid.
Party sources familiar with the meeting told NEW Daily Prime that the endorsement followed prior consultations among key stakeholders aligned with the governor. According to one senior party member involved in the process, the gathering was convened to formalise an already agreed position.
“The leaders were largely on the same page before the meeting. What happened in Ijebu-Ode was to present that consensus publicly,” the source said.
Former Ogun East senator Lekan Mustapha, who spoke at the meeting, said the decision was based on confidence in Abiodun’s capacity to represent the district effectively at the national level. He disclosed that party leaders would formally communicate the endorsement to the governor and support his candidacy, including the purchase of nomination forms.
The Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, described the endorsement as unanimous, citing the governor’s record in governance and party management. Similar views were expressed by federal lawmaker Femi Ogunbanwo and local government leaders, who praised the administration’s performance and urged Abiodun to accept the call to contest.
The scale of participation reinforced the weight of the decision. Party officials said all 103 councillors from the nine local governments in Ogun East were represented, alongside ward executives, youth leaders, and prominent elders, including Sen Gbenga Kaka and APC Ogun East Chairman Adedoyin Adeleke.
Despite the show of unity at the meeting, Daniel’s exclusion has deepened concerns about internal divisions within the APC in Ogun State. The Ogun East senatorial seat remains a critical political position, and the struggle over its control has increasingly drawn clear lines between competing blocs within the party.
Political observers say the events of Monday signal a shift from quiet rivalry to open contest. With no official explanation offered for Daniel’s exclusion, questions remain about the inclusiveness and long-term impact of the endorsement.
Analysts warn that unresolved disputes over candidate selection could weaken party cohesion as preparations for the next election cycle gather pace. They note that managing competing interests within the party will be crucial to avoiding a broader split.
For now, the endorsement of Abiodun marks a decisive move by one faction. But the reaction from Daniel’s camp suggests that the battle for Ogun East is far from settled—setting the stage for a prolonged contest that could shape the future of the APC in the state.
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