Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has received members of the political families of former governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, and the late Senator Buruji Kashamu into the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the party intensifies mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Abiodun received the groups at a meeting held at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta, where he described their decision to align with the APC as a significant development capable of strengthening the party’s political structure, particularly in Ogun East Senatorial District.
The governor urged political actors with common interests to work together and speak with one voice, rather than dissipating their energies across different political platforms, especially ahead of an election year.
He, however, expressed concern over the recent relaunch of the foundation of Senator Daniel, who represents Ogun East Senatorial District and governed the state between 2003 and 2011, where the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, reportedly attended as special guest of honour.
Abiodun said the development appeared to indicate that Daniel had chosen to operate outside the mainstream of the APC, despite his status as a former governor and influential political figure in the state.
“You know OGD is my leader because he was governor before me. I joined Ogun State politics way before him. Without a doubt, I was a senator-elect in the state in 1996/1997,” the governor said.
He said his relationship with Daniel had been guided by respect for the office of governor, recalling that he supported the former governor’s emergence as the APC senatorial candidate in 2023 despite advice from some political associates against doing so.
According to him, some people had warned that supporting Daniel could eventually lead to political disagreements between them, but he chose to honour him because of his status as a former governor.
“I just decided that we should honour him because one day, I will also become a former governor,” Abiodun said.
The governor also reflected on the nature of political power, saying those entrusted with authority must exercise it responsibly and avoid behaving as though they were above accountability.
“You don’t begin to act as if you are God. You don’t begin to play as if you are an emperor. God gives us power and looks at how we use it,” he said.
Abiodun further recalled political developments surrounding the 2023 election, alleging that Daniel had at a point expressed uncertainty over who would emerge as governor despite one of the contenders belonging to his political party.
“Now the gloves are off. He is the same person that we heard in an audio saying he had taken someone to court,” he added.
The governor assured the new APC members that they would not regret their decision, promising that his administration would continue to promote unity, inclusiveness and cohesion within the party.
He also disclosed that his administration would make announcements before the end of the year on major developments concerning Ogun State’s anticipated emergence as an oil-producing state and the proposed deep-sea port.
Speaking at the meeting, the governor’s Senior Consultant on Political Matters, Aremo Tunde Adesanya, said the delegation was at the Presidential Lodge to formally reaffirm its loyalty to the APC and commitment to Abiodun.
Adesanya, who previously served as coordinator of Otunba Gbenga Daniel in Odogbolu Local Government before his removal following his alignment with the APC mainstream, said the group had decided to fully identify with the ruling party.
Also speaking, Oladipupo Owoduni said the meeting was convened to bring together political stakeholders committed to the APC, Governor Abiodun and the party’s candidates.
Owoduni dismissed reports that members of the group would support candidates of other political parties, insisting that their loyalty remained with the APC.
He disclosed that the group had commenced an “Operation 5 Direct” mobilisation programme aimed at securing victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Abiodun in his senatorial bid, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola in the governorship election, as well as APC candidates for the House of Representatives and Ogun State House of Assembly in Ogun East.
