The Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Mr. Dare Odufowokan, has refuted claims made by Senator Gbenga Daniel regarding his victory in the 2023 APC primary election for Ogun East senatorial district. Speaking during an interview on Television Continental (TVC) on Saturday, Odufowokan asserted that the alleged primary election never occurred, claiming that Senator Daniel was at the palace of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, finalizing a consensus arrangement at the time the exercise was supposed to take place.
Primary Election Controversy
Odufowokan stated that journalists, party supporters, and stakeholders waited until late into the night on the day of the supposed primary election before the Director-General of Senator Lekan Mustapha's campaign organization, Dr. Ipaye, informed those present that a consensus arrangement had been reached at the Awujale's palace in favor of Senator Daniel. He added that Senator Mustapha consequently agreed not to return to the Senate.
“The alleged primary referred to by Senator Gbenga Daniel never held. If a primary had not held by 5 p.m., why is somebody claiming to have won five local governments? Senator Daniel never surfaced at the venue until a deal was reached very late in the night at the palace of the late Awujale,” Odufowokan explained.
He further alleged that when Senator Daniel eventually appeared, he had to persuade Dr. Ipaye to publicly raise his hands so disappointed supporters of Senator Lekan Mustapha could believe the consensus arrangement was genuine.
Stakeholders' Meeting Incident
Addressing claims that Senator Daniel was prevented from attending a recent stakeholders' meeting in Ijebu-Ode, Odufowokan denied the allegation, insisting that nobody stopped the former governor from entering the venue. According to him, the disagreement arose because Senator Daniel allegedly arrived with a busload of supporters and insisted on driving into the venue with them, a move party leaders objected to. Odufowokan said he personally approached the senator alongside the Chairman of Odogbolu Local Government and advised him to proceed into the venue with only a smaller vehicle conveying himself and his security aides, but the senator allegedly refused.
“He decided he was not going to participate in the meeting. Senator Daniel only came on TV to play to the gallery,” Odufowokan said.
Endorsement for 2027
On Senator Daniel's opposition to the endorsement of Governor Abiodun for the Ogun East APC senatorial ticket ahead of the 2027 elections, Odufowokan expressed confidence that the governor would emerge victorious at the party's primary election. “Governor Abiodun will win the Ogun State primary because he has given Ogun East legacy projects we can never forget. He has given us roads, an airport, and health projects, among others,” he said.
Reacting to Senator Daniel's claim that he facilitated the establishment of a naval dockyard in Ogun State, Odufowokan maintained that the project was conceived and executed by Governor Abiodun following several meetings with naval authorities. “All documents relating to the project bear the imprint of Governor Dapo Abiodun,” he said, challenging Senator Daniel to publish documentary evidence linking him directly to the initiative. He further argued that Senator Daniel merely moved motions on the floor of the Senate after discussions between Governor Abiodun and naval authorities had already been concluded.
Support from Labour Party Leader
Dr. Abayomi Arabambi, the National Vice Chairman (South-West) of the Labour Party and former Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Ogun State, supported Odufowokan's position. He stated that political opposition in Ogun State has never enjoyed the level of freedom currently obtainable under Governor Dapo Abiodun. Arabambi maintained that Senator Lekan Mustapha was persuaded to step down for Senator Daniel through a consensus arrangement brokered at the palace of the Awujale.
“This is the first time we have clean opposition in Ogun State. During Daniel's administration, you couldn't query or challenge him the way he is now challenging Governor Abiodun. Some of us have cases against Governor Abiodun, but the level of freedom we enjoy now did not exist under Governor Daniel,” Arabambi said.
