By Omobolaji Adekunle
Former Ogun State Governor and Senator representing Ogun east, Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD) has rejected claims attributed to Governor Dapo Abiodun regarding his role in his 2023 electoral victory, noting that his mandate was earned at the polls
In a statement by the media office of Senator Gbenga Daniel, the former Governor described the assertions as inaccurate and unsupported by facts.
He criticized the Governor for making unverified claims in a closed-door setting without public scrutiny.
Abiodun allegedly claimed he supported Daniel’s emergence as governor in 2003 and played a decisive role in his election as the Senator for Ogun East in 2023. However, the media office disputed both assertions.
Regarding the 2003 governorship race, the statement acknowledged that Abiodun contested in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) primaries but noted that Daniel won decisively, securing 127 delegate votes against Abiodun’s 12.
It described the exercise as free and fair, adding that Daniel later reconciled with other aspirants under a “no victor, no vanquished” approach.
The statement further alleged that Abiodun was initially reluctant to align with Daniel after the primaries but joined reconciliation efforts later.
It also pointed out that upon assuming office, Daniel appointed Abiodun as the pioneer chairman of the Gateway Oil and Gas Committee, which it cited as evidence of an inclusive governance style.
On the 2023 senatorial election, the media office maintained that Daniel’s victory was driven by his political base, legacy, and grassroots support rather than external influence.
The office stated that the suggestion that his emergence was a product of backstage choreography is not only false but an insult to the electorate, noting that party primaries had already been concluded before any alleged intervention.
The statement also claimed that Abiodun did not actively participate in Daniel’s senatorial campaign, alleging he neither attended campaign events nor supported mobilization efforts.
Daniel further accused the state government of discouraging participation in Daniel’s campaign flag-off in Sagamu in October 2022, including claims that some civil servants who attended were queried.
Questioning the Governor’s assertions, the media office queried the political structure Abiodun contributed to Daniel’s electoral success.
Citing results from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), it described Daniel’s senatorial win as historic and noted that the outcome was not challenged at the election tribunal.
The statement also accused the state government of using its influence to undermine Daniel’s standing within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
It concluded that Daniel’s political strength in Ogun State remains independent, asserting that public scrutiny of governance should not be interpreted as persecution.
