A combined photo of Dapo Abiodun and Gbenga Daniel
By Toyin Williams
Between the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun and the former governor of Ogun State and senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the battle for who represents Ogun East senatorial district has just begun.
While Abiodun whose tenure expires next month was endorsed for the seat by the APC leaders days back, Daniel NATIONAL WAVES gathered is scheming to return to the senate in 2027.
The development took a dramatic turn on Monday when Daniel was prevented from gaining access to the venue of the caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun East Senatorial District.
The meeting, held at Adeola Odutola Hall in Ijebu-Ode, was scheduled for 11 a.m.
A notice of the meeting reads, “This is to invite the following categories of stakeholders in our party, APC, to attend an emergency senatorial meeting scheduled to hold tomorrow, Monday.”
Those expected included past chairmen, past and present National Assembly members, and councillors, among others.
However, the former governor’s convoy in a video circulating on social media was prevented from entering the venue.
In one of the clips, the senator’s supporters were seen, chanting”OGD, OGD, OGD” as Daniel’s security personnel engaged individuals at the gate in an attempt to gain access.
Daniel later addressed his supporters from his vehicle, saying, “We are here for our caucus meeting, and I got here by 10 a.m. They said we shouldn’t enter the venue in Ijebu-Ode.
“Therefore, if they do anything here today without my presence, it is an exercise in futility. So, their actions will amount to self-deceit.”
When contacted, Daniel’s media aide, Steve Oliyide, confirmed the incident and described the meeting as a gathering of loyalists of Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun.
“What we know is that his loyalists are gathered and preventing others from gaining access.
“It’s not only OGD they bounced. As long as you are not Dapo Abiodun’s loyalist. They threatened Otunba Onayemi, a former local government chairman, and former chairmen also expected to be part of the caucus meeting,” he said.
At the meeting, party leaders endorsed Abiodun as a consensus candidate for the Ogun East senatorial district ahead of the next election.
