Senator Gbenga Daniel Defies Ogun APC Consensus To Purchase Nomination Form For 2027 Senatorial Race

Senator Gbenga Daniel purchases APC forms for the 2027 race, rejecting the "sham" consensus that endorsed Governor Dapo Abiodun. Read the details of the Ogun APC rift.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 29, 2026, 4:42 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Politics Nigeria

Defiance Of Party Consensus

The political atmosphere in Ogun State has grown increasingly tense following Senator Gbenga Daniel's decision to formally enter the 2027 senatorial race. Despite a recent agreement by leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to adopt Governor Dapo Abiodun as the consensus candidate for the Ogun East Senatorial District, Daniel purchased his nomination and expression of interest forms on Tuesday, April 28. The move signals a direct confrontation between the former governor and the state’s party hierarchy, setting the stage for a high-stakes primary battle.

Claims Of Exclusion And Marginalization

The dispute stems from a stakeholders' meeting held at the Adeola Odutola Hall in Ijebu-Ode, where party leaders and grassroots representatives reportedly voted to back the incumbent governor for the Senate seat. Senator Daniel, however, has publicly denounced the gathering. In a viral video recorded on the day of the meeting, the Senator claimed that he and his supporters were physically barred from entering the venue. Describing the process as a "sham," Daniel argued that a consensus reached in the absence of a serving incumbent and key stakeholders lacks legitimacy and fails to represent the democratic will of the district.

Commitment To Responsive Representation

Following the purchase of his forms, Senator Daniel took to social media to reaffirm his commitment to his constituents. He stated that his bid to return to the Red Chamber is driven by a desire to continue providing "effective and responsive representation" for Ogun East. By proceeding with his candidacy, Daniel is banking on his grassroots network and his record as a former governor to challenge the executive-backed consensus. His supporters have echoed his sentiments, insisting that the district deserves a competitive primary rather than anointment.