The political rift between Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and his predecessor, Gbenga Daniel, has deepened, with both camps trading claims over political loyalty ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Abiodun on Thursday accused Daniel of drifting away from the mainstream of the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing his alleged association with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu.
However, Daniel’s loyalists rejected the claim, insisting that the former governor’s political family remained united and committed to his leadership.
Abiodun made the allegation while receiving members of Daniel’s political family and the late Buruji Kashamu’s political group into the APC mainstream at the Presidential Lodge in Abeokuta.
The governor recalled the 2023 election, saying he had been advised against supporting Daniel’s bid for the Ogun East senatorial seat because of concerns that the former governor could eventually turn against him.
He said he nevertheless backed Daniel because of his respect for him as a former governor and his belief that political disagreements should not diminish the dignity attached to former occupants of the office.
“I just decided that we should honour him because one day, I will also become a former governor,” Abiodun said.
The governor also expressed concern over Daniel’s association with Adebutu, particularly the latter’s attendance at an event organised by the Gateway Front Foundation.
Abiodun said the development appeared to suggest that Daniel had chosen to operate outside the APC mainstream.
“Now the gloves are off,” he said, while referring to an alleged audio recording involving the former governor.
Abiodun urged political actors with common interests to work together ahead of the 2027 elections, saying there was little justification for members of the same political family to work for different parties.
The OGD Loyal Coordinators Forum dismissed the governor’s claim that Daniel’s supporters were returning to the APC mainstream.
In a statement signed by Kolade Segun-Okeowo, Yekeen Adesanya and Jide Onadeko, the forum said those who visited Abiodun did so in their personal capacities and did not represent the wider Daniel political family.
The group reaffirmed its loyalty to Daniel, describing the OGD political movement as “intact, organised, and focused.”
It urged the public to disregard claims that Daniel’s loyalists had collectively abandoned him.
Daniel’s media aide, Steve Oliyide, also disputed the governor’s description of the Gateway Front Foundation event.
Oliyide said the gathering was not a relaunch but a reunion of old and new members of the foundation ahead of its 25th anniversary.
He explained that Adebutu was an old member of the organisation and was therefore entitled to attend the event.
Daniel’s media office had earlier rejected an alleged audio recording referenced by Abiodun, describing it as manipulated and deliberately doctored to damage the former governor’s reputation.
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The office said law enforcement agencies had been invited to investigate the source and circulation of the recording, while its legal team was pursuing available legal remedies.
The political disagreement comes amid a growing contest for the Ogun East senatorial seat ahead of 2027.
Daniel, who currently represents Ogun East in the Senate, is seeking another term, while Abiodun, who will complete his second term as governor in 2027, is also seeking the seat.
The APC subsequently adopted Abiodun as its consensus candidate for the Ogun East senatorial election, and he was later declared winner of the party’s primary.
The development has further heightened tensions between the two political camps as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
