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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Daniel Ignores APC Consensus Move, Picks Senate Nomination Form

From The Punch · (4m ago) English Mixed tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Senator Gbenga Daniel has picked up nomination forms to seek re-election to the Nigerian Senate for the Ogun East Senatorial District under the APC.
  • His move comes despite reports of party leaders endorsing Governor Dapo Abiodun as a consensus candidate, a process Daniel's supporters claim was designed to exclude him.
  • Daniel stated his decision is driven by a desire to continue providing effective and responsive representation for his constituents.

In a move that has sent ripples through the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun East, Senator Gbenga Daniel has defied a reported consensus arrangement to secure his re-election bid for the Senate. The former governor and current senator has officially obtained his nomination and expression of interest forms, signaling his intent to vie for the Ogun East Senatorial District seat in the 2027 general elections.

Today, I picked up my nomination and expression of interest forms as I seek to return to the Nigerian Senate, continuing my efforts to provide effective and responsive representation for the people of Ogun East Senatorial District under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

— Senator Gbenga DanielSenator Daniel announced his decision to seek re-election via his X handle, explaining his motivation.

This development arrives amidst significant tension within the local APC chapter. Reports indicated that party leaders and stakeholders had previously endorsed Governor Dapo Abiodun for the senatorial ticket, a decision purportedly reached at a stakeholders' meeting. However, this consensus narrative has been challenged by Daniel's camp, who allege deliberate exclusion and manipulation of the process to favor the governor's allies.

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.

— Senator Gbenga DanielIn a viral video, Daniel described being denied entry to a stakeholders' meeting where a consensus candidate was reportedly endorsed.

Daniel himself has voiced his commitment to continuing his service, emphasizing his desire to provide "effective and responsive representation." His supporters, operating under the BATOGD Movement, have vehemently rejected the purported consensus, labeling the meeting where it was decided as a "carefully orchestrated exclusion." This internal party friction highlights the complex political dynamics at play in Ogun State, where loyalties and ambitions often intersect in intricate ways. The senator's decision to proceed with his bid, irrespective of the reported consensus, underscores a determination to assert his political standing and continue his legislative journey.

a carefully orchestrated exclusion

— BATOGD Movement (loyalists of Daniel)Supporters of Senator Daniel rejected the consensus process, alleging it was designed to exclude their principal.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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