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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Ogun East: Between Gbenga Daniel and Dapo Abiodun

From ThisDay · (5m ago) English Critical tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Senator Gbenga Daniel has purchased nomination forms to seek re-election to the Nigerian Senate for the Ogun East Senatorial District under the APC party.
  • This move follows an endorsement of Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun by party leaders for the same senatorial position, creating a potential conflict within the APC.
  • The 2027 senatorial race is anticipated to be dramatic, featuring Daniel and Abiodun, who have a history of political rivalry dating back to Daniel's governorship.

The political landscape in Ogun East is heating up as Senator Gbenga Daniel officially declared his intention to return to the Nigerian Senate by purchasing nomination forms for the All Progressives Congress (APC). This action, however, comes shortly after key party stakeholders in the Ogun East Senatorial District openly endorsed the incumbent Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for the same senatorial seat.

This endorsement, which the ruling party's laws permit state chapters to adopt through consensus, has set the stage for a potentially dramatic contest. The 2027 general elections in Ogun East promise significant political intrigue, largely because the two main contenders, Daniel and Abiodun, share a complex past. They were once allies but have since become political adversaries.

Their rivalry dates back to Daniel's tenure as Ogun State Governor (2003-2011). During that period, Abiodun challenged Daniel in a closely contested primary. Despite Abiodun being a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and a prominent figure, Daniel, who was moving from the Alliance for Democracy (AD), ultimately won the primary, with Abiodun reportedly merging his political structures and resources into Daniel's campaign.

Daniel's governorship was marked by internal party conflicts and challenges. Following his tenure, the political scene saw shifts, including Daniel's involvement with the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) and his later appointment as the Director General of the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign organization under the PDP. His alignment with the APC reportedly occurred after Atiku's electoral loss, driven by a desire to remain politically relevant.

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 APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

— Gbenga DanielAnnouncing his intention to seek re-election to the Nigerian Senate.
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Originally published by ThisDay. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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