Why Abiodun Should Reconcile With Daniel Before Aug 16 – Insiders

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced Sola Ayoola-Elegbeji as its candidate for the August 16, 2025, Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal House of Representatives by-election.

Ayoola-Elegbeji, a loyalist of Governor Dapo Abiodun, is a key figure within his political camp. However, insiders say her selection has heightened the urgency to unify APC’s internal factions—particularly the powerful bloc led by Senator Gbenga Daniel.

Daniel, a former two-term governor of Ogun State, controls one of the state’s four most influential political structures and is a dominant force in Remo—the region hosting the by-election.

The other major Remo bloc is led by Ladi Adebutu, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader in Ogun State, who is also from the area.

Compared to Daniel and Adebutu, Abiodun’s grassroots presence in Remo is weaker.

Adebutu is spearheading the campaign for PDP candidate Oluwole Bolarinwa, who enjoys significant name recognition, having contested the same seat in the 2023 general election.

That contest saw the late Adewunmi Onanuga re-elected before her sudden passing in January 2025 created the current vacancy.

The Adebutu camp has long insisted that Bolarinwa actually won the 2023 race and is now determined to prove it in this by-election.

The feud between Adebutu and Abiodun is further fueling the PDP’s aggressive push for victory.

Despite his name recognition and political machinery, Adebutu has yet to secure any electoral win—directly or indirectly—against Abiodun since 2019.

The PDP’s defeats in the 2023 governorship and local government polls, both led by Adebutu, only deepened their frustration.

Insiders stress that Abiodun must now close ranks within the APC if he hopes to retain the Remo seat.

“To stand a real chance—despite his incumbency—Abiodun must rally all APC factions, especially Daniel’s,” a source emphasized.

But tensions between the two remain high.

Their supremacy battle has spilled into the open, fueled by conflicting ambitions: Daniel seeks a second term in the Senate, while Abiodun is reportedly eyeing the same Ogun East seat after leaving office next year.

Those familiar with the situation warn that unless Abiodun reconciles with Daniel, the party risks a divided front in a critical contest—despite the governor’s influence.

“Politics is about interests,” another insider noted. “Even with pledges from other APC aspirants to support Ayoola-Elegbeji, without Daniel’s support, Abiodun is going into this election at a disadvantage.”