Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has welcomed members of the Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD) political family and the late Buruji Kashamu political group into the mainstream of the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing their alignment as a major boost to the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Abiodun received the political groups at a meeting held at the Presidential Lodge in Abeokuta, where he commended their decision to work within the APC and support the party’s candidates across Ogun East Senatorial District.
The governor said politicians with shared interests should be able to unite behind a common political platform, particularly during an election year, rather than expend energy pursuing separate interests in different parties.
However, Abiodun expressed concern over the recent relaunch of the foundation of former Ogun State Governor and incumbent Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, which had the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, as special guest of honour.
According to him, the development appeared to indicate that Daniel was operating outside the mainstream of the APC despite his status as a respected former governor and political leader in the state.
Abiodun said his relationship with Daniel had always been shaped by respect for the office of governor and the responsibilities attached to occupying the position.
“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 recalled his political journey and said his experiences had taught him that political power was a privilege from God which must be exercised responsibly.
The governor also revisited the political developments surrounding the 2023 elections, revealing that he had been advised against supporting Daniel’s emergence as the APC senatorial candidate because of fears that the former governor could eventually turn against him.
Despite the warnings, Abiodun said he supported Daniel out of respect for him as a former governor, stressing that political differences should not erase the respect owed to former occupants of the office.
“I just decided that we should honour him because one day, I will also become a former governor,” he said.
Abiodun further recalled an occasion when, according to him, Daniel expressed uncertainty over who would emerge as the next governor of the state 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,” the governor added.
Abiodun Assures Defectors of Inclusion
The governor assured the new APC entrants 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 major developments relating to Ogun State’s anticipated emergence as an oil-producing state and the proposed deep-sea port would be announced before the end of the year.
Speaking during the meeting, the Governor’s Senior Consultant on Political Matters, Aremo Tunde Adesanya, said the delegation had come to formally reaffirm its loyalty to the APC and commitment to Governor Abiodun.
Adesanya, who previously served as the coordinator of Otunba Gbenga Daniel in Odogbolu Local Government before his removal over his alignment with the APC mainstream, said the group had now decided to fully identify with the ruling party.
Also speaking, Mr. Oladipupo Owoduni said the meeting was convened to unite 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 allegiance remained firmly 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, Governor 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.
The latest political alignment is expected to further strengthen the APC’s structure in Ogun East as the party intensifies grassroots mobilisation and prepares for the 2027 general elections.