Insiders Tell Why Gbenga Daniel, Dapo Abiodun’s Face-Off Is Not Ending Soon

Talks within the political circle of Ogun State suggest that the face-off between Governor Dapo Abiodun and Senator Gbenga Daniel is far from over.

Both men are said to have turned a blind eye to efforts at reconciliation, remaining unyielding in their positions. The claim is that Daniel, a former two-term governor of Ogun State, wants to retain his position as the Senator representing Ogun East. Meanwhile, Governor Abiodun, who leaves office in 2027, is believed to be interested in taking over the seat.

They are both chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“While the Governor has a vice-like grip on the control of the party structure in the state, the Senator enjoys a firm rapport with decision-makers at the national level, including President Tinubu,” sources say.

However, insiders in the corridors of power insist that the value of rapport with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu primarily depends on how one’s interests align with his immediate and long-term objectives.

Further disclosures indicate that while Daniel has a stronger political structure, Abiodun has been putting resources at his disposal to good use by executing intentional and far-reaching projects in the senatorial district in recent times.

“But that is not to say the Senator has been idle. OGD (Otunba Gbenga Daniel) had a good head start with various impactful initiatives and constituency projects.

He has been carrying on like he is still campaigning for the post since he was sworn in in June 2023. However, it is obvious that you can’t ignore what Abiodun has been doing lately,” an observer noted.

The face-off between them has taken a personal turn, especially with the partial demolition of a plaza owned by Senator Daniel’s wife, Olufunke, by the Ogun State government over alleged environmental infractions. Governor Abiodun justified the action, declaring that nobody is above the law. The matter has since become a subject of litigation in a case initiated by Daniel.

“With the way things are going, the belief in political circles is that the matter will ultimately be resolved at the level of President Tinubu,” sources claim.