The political crisis within the Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) intensified on Sunday as the campaign group of the former governor of the state and senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, directed its supporters to stay away from the party’s senatorial primaries.
The group announced the decision in a communiqué issued after a meeting, alleging that supporters of the former governor had become targets of political intimidation, threats and attacks allegedly linked to political thugs and agents of the Ogun State government.
According to the communiqué, members of the group had followed their principal across communities in Ogun East Senatorial District in efforts aimed at empowering residents and consolidating support within the APC.
The statement also acknowledged the support of President Bola Tinubu, describing it as significant to their political activities in the district.
However, the group expressed concern over what it described as growing hostility and intimidation ahead of the APC primaries.
“We have followed our principal to all the nooks and crannies of the Ogun East Senatorial District, empowering the people, and we are glad that the goodwill of His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, has been supportive in no small measure,” the communiqué stated.
The group further alleged that recent developments contradicted democratic principles and fair political competition.
“However, what we have experienced in recent times is at variance with our understanding of the principles of a democratic system, where fair play is the minimum expectation. In the last few days, we have seen all manner of strange movements and miscreants taking positions and ready to strike down our people,” the statement added.
It also accused unnamed state government agents of threatening Daniel’s supporters and cited recent elections as evidence of the alleged intimidation.
“We do not believe, in good conscience, that we should subject our people to unnecessary danger and mayhem. On this note, we have advised our Principal, His Excellency, Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel, to distance himself from the senatorial party primary elections,” the communiqué concluded.
Senator Daniel had earlier declared his intention to seek a second term in the Senate.
However, the move has placed him on a collision course with Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, who is also eyeing the Ogun East senatorial seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The rivalry between the two political figures escalated after APC stakeholders in Ogun East reportedly endorsed Governor Abiodun for the senatorial race while allegedly preventing Daniel from attending a stakeholders’ meeting.
Tensions became more pronounced on April 20, 2026, when Daniel was denied entry into an APC Ogun East senatorial caucus meeting in Ijebu-Ode.
Security operatives at the venue reportedly blocked his convoy and requested that he step out of his vehicle for verification, a request he reportedly declined.
The incident sparked outrage among his supporters and further deepened the rift within the party in the district.
Both politicians were once close allies, with Daniel playing a major role in supporting Abiodun’s successful governorship bid in 2019.
Their relationship, however, later deteriorated amid allegations that the governor was deploying state machinery to weaken his predecessor politically.
Observers within the party believe the struggle over the Ogun East senatorial ticket has become a major source of the growing division between the two camps.
The crisis had earlier surfaced in August 2025 when the Ogun APC announced the suspension of Daniel and one of his loyalists, Kunle Folarin, over alleged anti-party activities.
The state APC spokesperson, Nuberu Olufemi, had said the suspension was approved during a State Working Committee meeting chaired by the party chairman, Yemi Sanusi.
However, the party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, later nullified the suspension, insisting that the National Working Committee had not endorsed the action.
Basiru subsequently declared that “Senator Otunba Olugbenga Daniel remains a bona fide member of the party.”
Signs of the deteriorating relationship between Daniel and Abiodun had also emerged in September 2023 when the Ogun State government demolished the five-storey DATKEM Plaza in Ijebu-Ode, reportedly owned by Daniel’s wife, Olufunke Daniel.
The demolition, carried out shortly after notice was issued, generated controversy at the time, with project manager Olusegun Lawal confirming the development.
The political camps also clashed over reported plans by the state government to demolish Daniel’s Sagamu residence and luxury hotel, further fuelling tensions within the ruling party in Ogun State.
