The political feud between Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Senator Gbenga Daniel escalated on Wednesday as armed police officers stormed Daniel's residence and disrupted a planned gathering of his supporters. Security forces, including an Armoured Personnel Carrier, cordoned off the former governor's home in the Government Reservation Area of Ijebu-Ode, effectively halting the BATOGD Community Assessment and Review rally.
Background of the Conflict
The incident comes days after Daniel was excluded from the All Progressives Congress Ogun East Senatorial District Stakeholders' Forum, where party leaders unanimously endorsed Governor Abiodun as the consensus candidate for the 2027 senatorial election. The heavy police presence at Daniel's residence on Wednesday reportedly scared away supporters of BATOGD, a grassroots platform advocating for President Bola Tinubu's re-election and Daniel's return to the Senate.
Disruption of the Rally
An aide to Senator Daniel stated that police operatives blocked access to the Obanta Club venue and cordoned off Daniel's house to prevent the BATOGD group from meeting. The rally, an initiative under the Gateway Front Foundation, aimed to empower constituents, with over 10,000 beneficiaries expected across the district. However, participants and organisers were unable to reach the venue due to the blockade.
This development deepens the ongoing rift between Abiodun and Daniel as they vie for the Ogun East Senatorial seat under the APC banner. The political tension continues to mount ahead of the 2027 elections.
