Senator Gbenga Daniel Rebukes Governor Dapo Abiodun Over Claims of Political Patronage in Ogun State Elections

Gbenga Daniel rejects Governor Dapo Abiodun's claims of political support, calling the narrative a fiction and an insult to Ogun East voters.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 30, 2026, 4:53 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Politics Nigeria

The Dispute Over Historical Political Structures

The political atmosphere in Ogun State has sharpened as Senator Gbenga Daniel issued a direct rebuttal to claims made by Governor Dapo Abiodun concerning past electoral cycles. Abiodun recently asserted that he had previously shelved his own gubernatorial ambitions and collapsed his political structure to support Daniel. However, Daniel countered that these statements are built on a fictionalized version of history, noting that such claims only survive in environments where they are not subject to immediate scrutiny. He clarified that while Abiodun did contest the governorship in the early 2000s under the Peoples Democratic Party, it was Daniel who emerged as the elected candidate and secured the mandate at the polls.

Inclusivity versus Vicious Campaigning

In his detailed response, Daniel recalled the 2003 transition, describing Abiodun’s campaign at the time as one of the most vicious directed against him. Despite this historical friction, Daniel stated that he maintained an inclusive approach to governance after his victory. He highlighted his appointment of Abiodun as the pioneer Chairman of the Gateway Oil and Gas Committee as evidence of his willingness to integrate rivals into the state’s administration. This counter narrative aims to frame Daniel as the benefactor of Abiodun’s early political career, rather than the recipient of his structural support.

Analyzing Past Senatorial Performance

To challenge the purported strength of the Governor’s political machinery, Daniel referenced the 2015 Ogun East Senatorial District election. He pointed out that Abiodun suffered a significant defeat at the hands of the late Senator Buruji Kashamu during that cycle. By citing this loss, Daniel sought to undermine the idea that Abiodun possessed a formidable or decisive political structure capable of determining the outcome of major elections in the district. This historical data point serves to isolate Abiodun’s current influence from his past electoral record.