A political group, Sustainability of Ogun State and Dapo Abiodun Legacy Beyond 2027, has thrown its weight behind Governor Dapo Abiodun’s endorsement for the Ogun East senatorial ticket, insisting that no individual can hold the All Progressives Congress consensus process hostage.
The position of the group was contained in a statement issued on Friday by its Convener, Dr Arabambi Abayomi, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Abeokuta.
The group was reacting to a recent commentary titled “The Great Ogun East Betrayal,” which defended Senator Gbenga Daniel and criticised the endorsement process that reportedly favoured Abiodun.
Abayomi described the betrayal claim as “misleading, emotional, and lacking factual depth,” arguing that the narrative failed to reflect the realities within the party structure in Ogun East.
He said, “No one individual, no matter how influential, can override the collective will of party stakeholders. Consensus is not coercion. It is a product of majority agreement, not personal entitlement.”
The convener maintained that the meeting where Abiodun was endorsed by party leaders and stakeholders across the zone reflected internal democratic processes, adding that it should not be dismissed because of the absence of a single political figure.
“Are we to believe that the voices of elected local government chairmen, councillors, and party executives amount to nothing simply because one person was not present? That is not democracy. That is an attempt to impose veto power where none exists,” he said.
Abayomi acknowledged that the exclusion of Daniel from the meeting created “poor optics,” but insisted that it did not invalidate the outcome.
“A flawed process in terms of optics does not automatically translate to illegitimacy. The endorsement still reflects the position of the majority within the party structure in Ogun East,” he added.
The group also dismissed claims that the APC would lose Ogun East without Daniel’s influence, stressing that political parties are institutions that outlive individual actors.
He said, “We must stop elevating politicians to the status of indispensable figures. Ogun East is bigger than any one man, and the APC as a party is stronger than individual ambitions.”
On electoral strength, Abayomi argued that previous election results did not support the claim that Daniel’s structure alone determined electoral outcomes in the state.
“Elections are more complex than the simplistic transfer of votes. The assumption that one man’s political base automatically delivers victory to another candidate is flawed and not supported by voting patterns,” he stated.
The group further cautioned against what it described as “political blackmail,” warning that yielding to pressure from any aspirant could weaken party discipline.
“If the party begins to reward threats of defection or sabotage, it sets a dangerous precedent. Discipline and respect for process must remain the foundation of party politics,” Abayomi said.
He called for a transparent primary process, urging all aspirants to test their popularity through the ballot rather than public rhetoric.
“Let the delegates decide. If Senator Daniel wins, he should be supported. If Governor Abiodun emerges, the same principle must apply. That is the essence of democracy,” he added.
The group expressed confidence that the APC would overcome internal disagreements in Ogun East, urging stakeholders to prioritise unity and due process ahead of the 2027 elections.
