Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress in Ogun East Senatorial District on Monday endorsed Governor Dapo Abiodun as their consensus candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.
The endorsement was announced at a well-attended meeting held at Adeola Odutola Hall, Ijebu-Ode, which brought together party leaders and grassroots representatives across the district.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Lekan Adeniran, the meeting attracted members of the Governor’s Advisory Council, former and serving local government chairmen, past and present lawmakers at both state and national levels, councillors from all wards, as well as women and youth leaders.
Former Ogun State governor and current senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, was, however, reportedly denied access to the meeting.
Daniel, in a video that has since gone viral, spoke from his campaign bus, branded OGD/PBAT Movement, stating that he was barred from the venue.
“We have been here for our Ogun East APC caucus meeting since 10am, but surprisingly, we have been barred. We are told that we can’t enter, but let it be said that whatever they do here today is null and void,” he said.
A notice of invitation for the emergency stakeholders’ meeting had listed deputy governors, past and serving local government chairmen, councillors, members of the National Assembly and state House of Assembly, among others.
In a communiqué, attendees included councillors across the senatorial district, ward and local government executives, serving and former lawmakers, and members of the Elders Advisory Council.
Speaking at the meeting, former senator representing Ogun East, Lekan Mustapha, said the endorsement was driven by a shared conviction that Abiodun was best positioned to represent the district in the Senate.
He added that party leaders would formally communicate the decision to the governor and commit to purchasing his nomination forms.
“We will put a body together to deliver this message to our governor that he has been adopted as the consensus candidate,” Mustapha said.
He described Abiodun as a leader of strong character and intellect, capable of effective representation at the national level.
Also speaking, Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, described the endorsement as historic and unanimous.
“This endorsement is historic and unanimous. It reflects the collective belief that Prince Dapo Abiodun is the right person for the position,” he said.
Member of the House of Representatives, Femi Ogunbanwo, said the governor’s administration had promoted peace and development across the state, expressing confidence in his ability to attract more dividends of democracy to Ogun East.
Chairman of Sagamu Local Government, Afolabi Odulate, also backed the endorsement, describing it as a collective decision of the district.
The meeting was attended by councillors, ward leaders, local government executives, lawmakers, and party elders, including Gbenga Kaka, APC Chairman in Ogun East, Adedoyin Adeleke, and other senior party figures.
Reacting, media aide to Daniel, Steve Oliyide, described the endorsement as illegitimate.
“What was done was nothing but a jamboree and self-endorsement,” he said.
Oliyide questioned the legitimacy of the meeting, noting the absence of Senator Daniel.
“When we endorsed Senator Yayi on Monday last week, Yayi was present. Do you name a child in his absence? And if you look at the gathering, this is a gathering of people on the governor’s payroll,” he said.
He added, “As far as we are concerned, the purported endorsement is nothing but a jamboree that is strictly unconstitutional and lacks legitimacy.”
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the APC in the state were unsuccessful as the party’s Publicity Secretary, Femi Nuberu, did not respond to calls and messages as of the time of filing this report.
Recall that Abiodun and Daniel, who is also seeking another term in the Senate in 2027, have recently been at political odds over the Ogun East senatorial seat, though the governor has yet to formally declare his ambition.
