Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Tuesday stated that he played a key role in the emergence of Gbenga Daniel as governor in 2003 and also supported his election as senator representing Ogun East under the All Progressives Congress in 2023.
According to a viral video, the governor made this known during a stakeholders’ meeting of the ruling party held at his private residence in Iperu Remo on Tuesday night.
At the same meeting, Abiodun revealed his plan to contest for the Ogun East Senate seat in 2027, promising to deliver outstanding representation for the district.
He noted that he had consistently backed Daniel’s political journey, both during the 2003 governorship race and two decades later when he pursued a Senate seat. He expressed disappointment, saying he did not expect that his support would be repaid with negative publicity and media criticism.
Abiodun explained that after losing the Peoples Democratic Party governorship ticket to Daniel in 2003, he handed over his political structure to him, which contributed to his eventual victory.
He further said that Daniel’s emergence as senator in 2023 was made possible through his intervention, including persuading former deputy governor Prince Segun Adesegun and former senator Lekan Mustapha to withdraw their ambitions.
Abiodun said, “I was here when Sen Amosun became the governor, I was here when Otunba Gbenga Daniel became the governor, and I actually contested against him in 2003, and when he emerged from the primaries, I was the first to congratulate him and handed over all my structures to him..
“And we know what we have done for each other over the years. I know how my relationship with Governor Daniel was when I assumed office; I held his hand to reintegrate him into the party; these are facts.
“I know what I did for Governor Daniel to become a senator. This is not something that I have ever said publicly, but these are facts. Prince Segun Adesegun and Sen Lekan Mustapha were the front-runners in that election.
“I know what my intervention was before the two of them agreed to step down for Otunba Daniel to eventually emerge as the party’s candidate. If Senator Daniel now feels that the only way he wants to repay my years of support is to be sponsoring negative publicity and media attacks against me, I leave him to his conscience.”
While addressing attendees, the governor assured residents of Ogun East that he would provide effective representation if elected to the Senate.
He said, “When you gave me the mandate of Ogun State, I have never disappointed you. I want to assure you that I will offer Ogun East the best representation ever in the history of the Red Chamber. I promise you I will offer the district the best representation.
“I will not be a back bencher. I will not be the kind of person who gets there just to look. I will offer good representation to the good people of Ogun East, so help me God.”
The announcement came just hours after the incumbent senator, Gbenga Daniel, obtained his nomination and expression of interest forms to seek another term in the Senate.
