A leaked audio recording purportedly featuring former Ogun State Governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, and businessman, Chief Kensington Adebutu, popularly known as Baba Ijebu, has sparked fresh political controversy in Ogun State, with the discussions allegedly centred on permutations ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The audio, which has been widely circulated on social media and political WhatsApp platforms, allegedly captures a conversation on the evolving political calculations ahead of the next governorship poll. Although the authenticity of the recording has not been independently verified, it has become one of the most discussed political issues in the state.
In the recording, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, was allegedly identified as the biggest political obstacle to the ambitions of those behind the discussions.
The conversation allegedly portrayed Adeola’s growing popularity, extensive grassroots consultations and strategic political alliances as factors capable of reshaping the political equation in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 election.
The speakers were also allegedly heard expressing concerns over the close political relationship between Governor Dapo Abiodun and Adeola, reportedly acknowledging that the governor’s support, coupled with the senator’s expanding political structure across Ogun Central, Ogun West and parts of Ogun East, could make him a formidable contender.
The recording further allegedly referenced former Governor Ibikunle Amosun. Daniel was purportedly heard claiming that he had spoken with Amosun regarding the forthcoming political contest. However, there has been no public confirmation from the former governor on the alleged conversation or the position attributed to him.
Beyond Ogun politics, the audio reportedly touched on Adeola’s political career in Lagos State, his transition into Ogun politics, his growing influence within the All Progressives Congress, political developments in Lagos and Ekiti states, Independent National Electoral Commission procedures and what the speakers described as an “Option B” strategy, although the details and meaning of the phrase remain unclear.
Former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, was also allegedly mentioned during the discussion. However, the context of the reference was not established, and there is no indication that the former envoy participated in the conversation.
Perhaps the most controversial aspect of the recording was an alleged discussion on the possibility of instituting legal proceedings against Adeola. The speakers were reportedly heard saying they had assembled information relating to the senator’s educational, professional and political history, suggesting that the materials could be deployed should legal action become necessary.
The leaked recording has reignited conversations over the internal politics of the Ogun APC, with political observers recalling the disagreements that trailed the 2023 governorship election, when the state chapter of the party accused Daniel of anti-party activities during Governor Abiodun’s re-election campaign.
However, reacting in a statement on Tuesday, the OGD Media Office dismissed the recording as fake, insisting that it was manipulated and deliberately doctored to tarnish the former governor’s image and advance a political agenda.
The statement said, “The OGD Media Office has been inundated with enquiries regarding a purportedly leaked private conversation allegedly involving His Excellency, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, and a respected elder statesman, Chief Adebutu.
“For the records, this office became aware of the existence of the audio over six weeks ago, following attempts by its purveyors to deploy the maliciously doctored recording as an instrument of political blackmail, coercion, intimidation and other criminal ends.”
The media office maintained that the recording was fabricated to mislead members of the public.
It stated, “The audio in circulation is a manipulated and deliberately doctored material, calculated to mislead the public, malign the reputation of His Excellency, and advance a premeditated political agenda.”
Daniel’s media office disclosed that security agencies had been petitioned to investigate those behind the recording and its circulation.
It added, “Accordingly, the appropriate law enforcement agencies have been formally invited to investigate the source of the recording, those responsible for its manipulation and dissemination, and the criminal motives behind its circulation.”
The statement also threatened legal action against those allegedly connected with the audio.
It read, “Our legal team has been instructed to pursue all available civil and criminal remedies against every individual or group connected with this orchestrated campaign of calumny, defamation, malicious falsehood and cybercrime.”
Calling for restraint, the media office declared, “This shenanigans must stop in our body politics.”
As of the time of filing this report, neither Adebutu, Governor Abiodun, Amosun, Tunji Isola nor Adeola had publicly responded to the claims contained in the leaked audio. The authenticity of the recording also remains unverified.
