Senate: Daniel’s Loyalists Kick Against Endorsement Of Abiodun As APC Candidate

Loyalists of Senator Gbenga Daniel have rejected the recent endorsement of Governor Dapo Abiodun by a faction of APC leaders in Ogun East, describing the move as “misleading” and incapable of determining the outcome of the 2027 senatorial race.

In a strongly worded statement issued by “concerned stakeholders” in the district, the group said the endorsement — said to have emerged from leaders in Remo and Sagamu — does not reflect the will of the entire Ogun East Senatorial District.

“The said endorsement, largely driven by a limited circle within Remo and Sagamu, does not and cannot represent the collective will of Ogun East Senatorial District,” the statement read.

The stakeholders argued that Ogun East, which comprises nine local government areas, cannot be reduced to what they described as a “sectional position,” warning against what they called attempts to “distort political realities” ahead of the 2027 elections.

“A sectional endorsement is not a district-wide consensus,” the group said, adding that the meeting where Abiodun was backed “bore the character of a pre-arranged, informal gathering rather than a broad-based consultative forum.”

The endorsement of Abiodun is the latest twist in what insiders describe as an intensifying political battle between the governor and Daniel, the incumbent senator seeking re-election.

Daniel’s supporters claimed that the process leading to the endorsement was dominated by political appointees and loyalists of the current administration, raising questions about its credibility.

“There is a growing perception that such ‘endorsements’ are less about genuine democratic consultation and more about political positioning and access to patronage,” the statement said.

The group urged the public to treat narratives from the meeting “as misleading and not reflective of the wider electorate.”

Reaffirming support for Daniel, the stakeholders said consultations across the district’s nine local governments point to “a clear, consistent, and overwhelming alignment” in favour of the former governor.

“This growing support is not accidental. It is anchored on proven leadership, a track record of impactful governance, and broad-based acceptance across Ijebu, Remo, and the entire Ogun East,” the statement added.

The loyalists further argued that Daniel’s backing is rooted in “organic consensus and grassroots confidence,” contrasting it with what they described as “politically orchestrated endorsements driven by proximity to power.”

They cautioned against “misrepresenting a localized endorsement as a general mandate” or creating “false impressions of unanimity where none exists.”

“Ogun East deserves a senator who embodies experience, inclusiveness, and the capacity to deliver at the national level — not a project of selective promotion,” the group said.

The statement underscores the deepening rivalry between Abiodun and Daniel, with both men seen as formidable forces within the APC in Ogun State.

“As the political process unfolds toward 2027, the mandate to represent Ogun East cannot be determined by a fraction, but by the collective will of the people,” the stakeholders said.

They concluded by reaffirming their support for Daniel, insisting that his “legacy, reach, and competence stand tested” as the contest for the Ogun East senate seat gathers momentum.