This week, political observers focused on Senator Gbenga Daniel's purchase of nomination forms at the APC national headquarters in Abuja for the Ogun East senatorial seat. Days earlier, party leaders and stakeholders had endorsed Governor Dapo Abiodun for the same position, citing the party's allowance for consensus arrangements. This consensus had already produced the APC governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Ogun State.
Daniel stated, "Today, I picked up my nomination and expression of interest forms as I seek to return to the Nigerian Senate, continuing my efforts to provide effective and responsive representation for the people of Ogun East Senatorial District under the platform of the APC ahead of the 2027 general election."
A History of Rivalry
The 2027 Ogun East senatorial race promises political drama as the two contenders are former friends turned foes. When Daniel governed Ogun State from 2003 to 2011, he faced Abiodun in a keenly contested primary. Daniel moved from the Alliance for Democracy (AD) to battle Abiodun in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where Abiodun was a founding member. Although Abiodun was a leading PDP figure, internal party forces favored Daniel, who won the primary. Daniel won, and Abiodun reportedly collapsed his structures into Daniel's campaign, donating offices and providing substantial financial resources. During Daniel's eight-year tenure, Abiodun never approached the government for support.
Daniel's reign was marred by in-fighting between the executive and legislature. The state House of Assembly could not sit for years, and nude photographs of lawmakers taking oaths were published. Given the crisis, Daniel could not produce a successor. He floated another party, the PPN, and sponsored a candidate, but opposition candidate Ibikunle Amosun won. Daniel then became a guest of anti-graft institutions. Speaking with a former governor in the South-West during his ordeal, Daniel said his inability to produce a successor was one of his greatest calamities.
During Amosun's eight years, which analysts described as the years of a warlord, Daniel could not even visit the state. At his 70th birthday celebration in Sagamu on April 6, 2026, Daniel looked at Amosun and proclaimed, "He gave me hell!"
Political Revival and Betrayal
In the 2019 general election, Daniel was appointed Director-General of the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign under PDP. After Atiku lost, Daniel switched to APC three days before Abiodun's governorship election, which APC won. During that election, Abiodun did not perform well in Daniel's territory. Abiodun fulfilled promises to Daniel, returning his hotel and property, granting free access to the state, and paying withheld allowances. Daniel bounced back into political reckoning.
Senator Lekan Mustapha, a leading contender for the senatorial ticket, was persuaded by Abiodun and the late Awujale of Ijebuland to step down for Daniel, arguing that a former governor should not be disgraced. Daniel got the ticket, but soon worked against the government. A party chieftain said, "Because of his deceitful and evil intentions, thinking Dapo may run for the Senate after his eight-year term, he plotted to send Dapo into political oblivion. He surreptitiously aligned with Adebutu, the PDP governorship candidate in 2023. He used APC's money to work against APC in the governorship election that brought Dapo in for a second term. He called his supporters a few days to the election, after Dapo had delivered the senatorial election for him, and said they should vote for Adebutu."
The source alleged that even after Abiodun won, Daniel worked underground to truncate his election at the tribunal. Abiodun won on appeal and at the Supreme Court. Daniel allegedly launched a smear campaign on Abiodun's certificates, using social media influencers to discredit him. This angered stakeholders in Ogun East, who resolved to ask Abiodun to run for the 2027 race.
Abiodun's Achievements
The source added, "Dapo Abiodun's administration has been full of ups and downs, but people can see the hand of God in his emergence. In the last seven years, there has been relative peace in Ogun State, no political assassination or crisis. The ugly spectre of governors' boys destroying property and laying siege on opponents is a thing of the past. Ogun State has witnessed tremendous economic transformation, moving from about three trillion GDP to N17 trillion, attracting many investors. Ogun State is arguably the investors' destination of choice in Nigeria. Abiodun has replicated development across local governments and ensured inclusive governance, with no arrogance, political harassment, or intimidation."
Karma Beckons
Daniel faces the prospect of karma as he faces his benefactor in the 2027 race. Many have accused him of smearing the governor in the media. Daniel was invited to the meeting where Abiodun's consensus candidacy was announced but reportedly came with three fully loaded coaster buses. Party leaders insisted only Daniel could enter, as it was strictly for delegates. Daniel immediately began addressing his prearranged media people on video, condemning the action. According to an APC source, "All major stakeholders, from ward to local government to state, were there. But as usual, he sees himself above party leadership. That's why, within the last three years, he has not integrated his supporters into the APC structure. He has never had a relationship with them; he has only carried on with his Gateway foundation."
Before the end of next month, the people of Ogun East will speak about who they believe will give them quality representation. Many believe Daniel's acts of sabotage and subversion have already ruled him out and may return him to the oblivion of the Amosun years.
