Senator Daniel Condemns “Stage-Managed” Senatorial Endorsement Of Gov. Abiodun

ABEOKUTA — The senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Otunba Gbenga Daniel has condemned what he described as a “manipulated and exclusionary” endorsement of Governor Dapo Abiodun as the Ogun East consensus Senatorial Candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC).

Recall that some APC leaders in Ogun East believed to be loyalists of Governor Dapo Abiodun, on Monday, endorsed the governor as the party’s consensus senatorial candidate for Ogun East at a stakeholders meeting of the party.

At the stakeholders meeting held at Adeola Odutolu Hall in Ijebu-Ode, Senator Daniel, who is currently representing the district at the National Assembly had arrived venue of the caucus stakeholders’ meeting with his security details and some party leaders, but were reportedly prevented by some loyalists of the governor from gaining entry into the venue.

But addressing journalists on Thursday at his Asoludero court in Sagamu, Daniel expressed mixed reactions to the “kangaroo” endorsement while sharply criticizing what it called “undemocratic practices” of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

The former governor who spoke through BATOGD Movement, a political campaign group for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu accused allies of Governor Abiodun of orchestrating a “ceremonial endorsement” under misleading circumstances.

Fielding questions from journalists, the Deputy Director of the BATOGD Movement , Otunba Tayo Onayemi explained that former governor Gbenga Daniel and some leaders of the party were allegedly invited to what was presented as a stakeholders’ caucus meeting, only to discover it was a pre-arranged endorsement event dominated by the governor’s loyalists.

He posited that, those who were appointed by the Governor have the democratic right to anoint whichever candidate they prefer, stressing that using party’s name to bait attendance at such events was worrisome.

According to him, most party leaders, including, Senator Gbenga Daniel, were baited into attending the event under the guise of a caucus meeting of stakeholders of the Ogun East Senatorial District, only to discovered that more than half of the people in the hall were not even qualified to attend a Senatorial Caucus meeting.

“This was not a legitimate caucus meeting but a staged show. Of course, those who were appointed by the Governor have the democratic right to anoint whichever candidate they prefer, even if that person is their principal.

“However, using the name of the Party to bait attendance at such events is what gives us concern. Most of the leaders, including our leader, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, were baited into attending the event under the guise of a Caucus Meeting of Stakeholders of the Ogun East Senatorial District.

“Some of our members who were eminently qualified to attend according to the Notice of Invitation were told pointedly to leave the venue, with the explanation that “this is a DA show” and could be attended only by loyalists of the Governor.

“We do not deny them their right to hold their own show, and we believe this must account for why our leader, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, was denied access to a “DA Show.” No ill feeling, but they should have been bold enough to make the notifications clear about their true intention, rather than using the name of our great Party to drag our leaders into ratifying a premeditated “show.”

Onayemi further raised alarm over a heavy police deployment to the residence of Senator Daniel in Ijebu Ode on April 22, describing the operation as excessive and unjustified.

He submitted that, armored vehicles and security personnel reportedly blocked access to the area, an action the group likened to “military-era tactics.”

He alleged that the situation may have been triggered by misinformation from local authorities, particularly the chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government whom they accused of misleading security agencies.

“This is a gross abuse of executive power. Such actions evoke memories of authoritarian rule and have no place in a democratic society.”

The group also referenced past grievances, including the controversial demolition of DATKEM Plaza in 2023, linking it to what they described as a growing pattern of “executive lawlessness” in the state.

The group, therefore, reaffirmed its support for President Tinubu’s leadership and reform agenda, emphasizing that democratic processes must not be undermined by “self-serving endorsements or coercion.”

They also welcomed the emergence of Senator Olamilekan Adeola as the APC’s consensus gubernatorial candidate for Ogun State, describing it as a hopeful break from longstanding political patterns.

They also confirmed that their community engagement tour across Ogun East which includes empowerment initiatives such as healthcare outreach and micro-credit schemes, would continue as planned, with upcoming events scheduled in Ijebu Ode.

Calling on security agencies to remain neutral, the group warned against the politicization of law enforcement and urged adherence to democratic principles.

“The President cannot be stampeded by personal interests. Nigeria is a democracy, and the rights and freedoms of all citizens must be protected.”