Former Ogun State governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, has dismissed claims of a consensus arrangement within the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that what is being presented as consensus is merely an endorsement process.
Daniel spoke in an interview with TVC News on Friday, 16th May, 2026, during which he addressed the growing political tension between him and Governor Dapo Abiodun over the Ogun East senatorial seat.
He said the development reflects deeper cracks within the party’s internal democracy, arguing that a true consensus process must involve the full agreement of all aspirants and stakeholders, not selective endorsement by a faction of the party.
According to him, recent events within the Ogun APC point to a structure where influence and incumbency are shaping decisions, rather than open consultation and collective agreement.
Daniel also maintained that he has largely avoided public political confrontation in recent years in order to focus on his legislative duties and constituency responsibilities, noting that public expectations from elected officials remain high amid economic hardship.
I Was Excluded from Key APC Caucus Meeting
Senator Gbenga Daniel alleged that he was deliberately left out of a key All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus meeting where Governor Dapo Abiodun was reportedly endorsed as the preferred candidate for the Ogun East senatorial seat ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during his interview with TVC News on Friday, 16th May, 2026, Daniel described his exclusion as politically significant, arguing that such a meeting should ordinarily include all principal stakeholders, especially an incumbent senator directly affected by the outcome of the decision.
He said the development reflects what he called an “undue alignment of interests” within the party structure, where key processes are allegedly influenced by power blocs rather than inclusive consultation.
According to him, internal party decision-making should be guided by fairness and due process, warning that excluding major stakeholders from such deliberations undermines the credibility of whatever outcome is reached.
Daniel stressed that the caucus meeting in question was critical to shaping the direction of the party’s zoning and endorsement dynamics in Ogun East, making his absence even more concerning from a democratic standpoint.
He further argued that when processes are perceived to be selective or pre-determined, it creates distrust among party members and weakens the spirit of internal democracy that political parties are expected to uphold.
While reaffirming his commitment to the APC and party unity, the former governor warned that exclusionary practices could deepen existing tensions within the Ogun State chapter of the party, particularly as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
I Supported Abiodun’s 2019 Governorship Victory
Senator Gbenga Daniel also revisited the 2019 governorship election in Ogun State, insisting that he played a significant and deliberate role in the emergence of Governor Dapo Abiodun as governor.
He explained that his political structure and influence in Ogun East were mobilised in support of the APC during the election, adding that the district played a decisive role in delivering votes that contributed to Abiodun’s overall victory.
Daniel maintained that the political collaboration at the time was driven by party interest and a shared objective of ensuring victory for the All Progressives Congress, rather than personal ambition or individual gain.
He argued that the current debate risks distorting that political history, stressing that events of 2019 should be properly understood within the context of collective party effort at the time.
According to him, the support extended to Abiodun’s candidacy was part of a broader strategy to strengthen the party’s position in the state, particularly in a highly competitive governorship race.
He added that any attempt to rewrite or minimise that role does not reflect the reality of what transpired during the election period.
Abiodun Did Not Make Me Senator, I Secured My Senate Mandate on Merit
Senator Gbenga Daniel firmly rejected suggestions that Governor Dapo Abiodun played any decisive role in his emergence as senator, insisting that his electoral victory was achieved through independent political strength and direct voter support in Ogun East.
He argued that his political career and electoral history long predate the current administration in Ogun State, stressing that his mandate was secured through sustained engagement with constituents rather than political sponsorship or patronage from any sitting governor.
According to him, attempts to frame his senatorial position as a product of political assistance are misleading and do not reflect the realities of electoral contests in the district over the years.
Daniel maintained that his influence in Ogun East is rooted in long-standing grassroots structures, personal political capital, and consistent engagement with voters across the senatorial district.
He added that his track record in previous elections demonstrates a pattern of independent political strength, which he said cannot be reduced to the influence of any single political actor or administration.
I’ll Respect Tinubu’s Intervention on Ogun East Senatorial Ticket
Speaking on possible intervention by President Bola Tinubu, Senator Gbenga Daniel said he would abide by any decision taken by the President in his capacity as leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that the party’s internal disputes often require high-level political resolution.
He described the President as a central figure in maintaining cohesion within the ruling party, especially at a time when internal disagreements over zoning, endorsements, and consensus-building have become more pronounced ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, Daniel stressed that any intervention from the President must be guided by fairness, balance, and strict adherence to due process, insisting that all aspirants in the Ogun East senatorial race deserve an equal and transparent platform within the party structure.
He maintained that while political leadership intervention is legitimate in resolving party conflicts, it should not override the principles of internal democracy or the rights of contestants who have already entered the race through established party procedures.
As political activities intensify ahead of 2027, the unfolding contest between key APC stakeholders in Ogun East is expected to significantly shape the internal dynamics of the party in Ogun State and influence broader political alignments across the South-West region.
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