Gbenga Daniel Sparks Fresh Talks In Outing With Ladi Adebutu

Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, has sparked fresh conversations in Ogun State’s political circle.

The former Governor—neck-deep in efforts to retain his Senatorial seat amid strong claims of interest from Governor Dapo Abiodun—made a joint public appearance with Ladi Adebutu, the face of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), on Sunday, May 11, 2025.

A video of the development, which took place in Sagamu during a condolence visit to the family of the late politician Alhaja Mujidat Ogunnaike, popularly known as “Oluaye,” was posted on social media by the Senator.

And it has sparked widespread talks, given the familiarity displayed by both Daniel and Adebutu against the backdrop of prevailing political circumstances in the state.

Daniel, Adebutu, and Abiodun are all from Ogun East.

Although Abiodun—who leaves office in 2027 after a second term—is backed by the power of incumbency, Daniel and Adebutu are believed to own more formidable political structures in the senatorial district and statewide.

Adding to the intrigue is the fact that Abiodun and Adebutu are kinsmen from the same local government area in Iperu.

“So, a lot of meaning is being read into the video of the joint outing with Adebutu posted by Daniel. And the consensus is that the Senator, on his own, is no pushover—and working together with Adebutu to retain his seat more than guarantees that outcome, except fate plays a fast one on him,” sources say.

Adebutu was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 Ogun State gubernatorial election, which earned Abiodun a second term in office.

The Governor won that election with fewer than fourteen thousand votes—a victory hotly contested by Adebutu.

Although Abiodun has not publicly addressed claims that he intends to run for the Ogun East senatorial seat after leaving office in 2027, the talks have refused to die down. They’ve been further fueled by Daniel’s public accusation that Abiodun is indeed pursuing the ambition—voiced during one of their frequent public spats through proxies.