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This week, political watchers paid keen attention as the senator representing Ogun East in the National Assembly, Chief Gbenga Daniel, purchased nomination forms at the national headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja. Said the senator: “Today, I picked up my nomination and expression of interest forms as I seek to return to the Nigerian Senate, continuing my efforts to provide effective and responsive representation for the people of Ogun East Senatorial District under the platform of the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.”
This was because, only a few days earlier, party leaders and key stakeholders in Ogun East Senatorial District, the district Daniel currently represents in the Red Chamber, had openly and enthusiastically endorsed Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for the same position. The ruling party’s constitution allows state chapters to adopt such a consensus arrangement if they so wish. Already, that arrangement has produced the APC governorship candidate for the 2027 election in the state.
The 2027 Ogun East senatorial race promises to provide political drama, in large part because the two contenders are former friends turned rivals. When Daniel had the privilege of becoming the Governor of Ogun State between 2003 and 2011, it was Abiodun he faced in a keenly contested primary. At the time, Daniel had moved from the then-ruling Alliance for Democracy (AD) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of which Abiodun was a founding member in the state.
Although Abiodun was one of the leading figures of the PDP at the time, influential forces within the party favoured Daniel, and he went on to win the primary. Following Daniel’s victory, Abiodun reportedly collapsed his political structures into Daniel’s campaign team, donated office space, and provided substantial financial support for the election.
Daniel’s tenure in Ogun State was marked by significant political turbulence, including prolonged tensions between the executive and the legislature. The political climate during the period was highly charged, contributing to intense rivalry across the state.
Given the internal divisions within the PDP at the time, Daniel later floated another party, the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN), and sponsored a candidate in the 2011 governorship election. However, Ibikunle Amosun of the opposition emerged victorious.
Following Amosun’s emergence, Daniel endured a politically difficult period. At his 70th birthday celebration in Sagamu on April 6, he reflected on those years with characteristic candour, smiling as he remarked of Amosun: “He gave me hell!”
During the 2019 general election, Daniel received a political boost when he was appointed Director-General of Atiku Abubakar’s presidential campaign organisation under the PDP. After the election, however, he aligned with the APC ahead of Dapo Abiodun’s governorship victory.
Abiodun’s emergence marked a turning point for Daniel. Several of Daniel’s associates were subsequently integrated into the state government, fostering reconciliation and strengthening party unity in Ogun State. Daniel himself returned fully to the political mainstream.
There was more to come. Then-Senator Lekan Mustapha was one of the leading contenders for the Ogun East senatorial ticket, but Abiodun and the late Awujale of Ijebuland reportedly persuaded him to step aside for Daniel, arguing that a former governor should be accorded due respect. Daniel secured the ticket, completing his political resurgence.
However, relations between the two leaders have since deteriorated, setting the stage for the current contest.
Supporters of Governor Abiodun point to his administration’s emphasis on political stability, economic growth, and infrastructure development. They argue that Ogun State has witnessed relative peace and increased investor confidence under his leadership.
Daniel, on the other hand, remains a formidable political force in Ogun East, with an extensive grassroots network and a longstanding political legacy in the state.
The recent endorsement of Abiodun by key stakeholders in Ogun East has added another intriguing layer to the contest, which is already shaping up to be one of the most closely watched political battles ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It is expected that before the end of next month, the people of Ogun East will make their preference known regarding who should represent them in the Senate. Whatever the outcome, the race will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the political future of Ogun State.
Bakare, a political analyst, sent this through seyibakr@aol.com.
Seyi Bakare: Ogun East – Between Gbenga Daniel, Dapo Abiodun
