Ogun Rift Deepens as Dapo Abiodun Labels Gbenga Daniel ‘Ingrate’

The political rift between Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Gbenga Daniel, has escalated, with the governor accusing the former governor of ingratitude over political support.

Abiodun made the remark during a stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun East, where he claimed to have facilitated Daniel’s return to the party and supported his emergence as senator in the 2023 elections.

The disagreement between both political figures reportedly intensified after some APC leaders in the district excluded Daniel from a stakeholders’ forum in Ijebu-Ode and subsequently endorsed Abiodun as the party’s consensus candidate from the zone.

Despite the development, Daniel proceeded to obtain the APC senatorial nomination form to seek re-election in 2027, a move seen as a direct challenge to the governor’s influence in the district.

Responding, the media office of the senator dismissed Abiodun’s claims, describing them as inaccurate and a distortion of political history.

In a statement dated April 29, 2026, the office said it was compelled to react following widespread inquiries about remarks allegedly made by the governor at a private gathering.

It criticised the governor for making what it termed unverified assertions in a closed setting and maintained that Daniel’s political standing in Ogun State remains strong and independent.

The latest exchange shows the growing tensions within the APC in Ogun State as political actors begin to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.