Politics
Insiders Give Update In Daniel, Abiodun Face-Off
Their rivalry, insiders added, has unsettled party elders and stakeholders
The struggle over who emerges as the next senator representing Ogun East has deepened, with Governor Dapo Abiodun and Senator Gbenga Daniel showing no signs of backing down. Insiders familiar with the development say both political heavyweights remain resolute in their ambitions despite mounting pressure from within the All Progressives Congress (APC) to reach a truce.
Daniel, the incumbent senator, is said to be keen on returning to the upper chamber, citing ongoing constituency projects and his political structure across Ijebu and Remo zones. On the other hand, Governor Abiodun, who hails from the same senatorial district, is reportedly interested in stepping into the role at the end of his tenure in 2027.
“The two men are determined,” one insider said, adding “Daniel believes he still has work to do at the Senate, while Abiodun feels it’s time for him to take up the mantle and continue representing the zone at the national level. None of them is willing to step aside easily.”
Their rivalry, insiders added, has unsettled party elders and stakeholders who are working behind the scenes to broker peace in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive that the APC must present a united front across all states ahead of the 2027 general election. Tinubu, who is seeking a second term as president, is said to be counting on internal cohesion to strengthen the party’s hold on power and expand its reach in key states like Ogun.
While consultations are ongoing, the situation in Ogun East has become a test case for the party’s ability to manage internal competition without jeopardizing its broader political goals. “The president wants unity, but that’s easier said than done in Ogun,” another party source said. “Abiodun and Daniel are both influential and proud men, and none wants to be seen as retreating.”
For now, both camps are maintaining strategic silence in public while mobilising quietly behind the scenes.
But as 2027 draws closer, insiders say the power struggle is far from over — and could shape not just the senatorial race but the balance of influence within Ogun APC.
