DistantNews
Support us
Ogun governor reveals he backed rival for Senate despite warnings
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Ogun governor reveals he backed rival for Senate despite warnings

From Vanguard · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun revealed he supported former governor Gbenga Daniel for Senate despite warnings.
  • Abiodun stated he backed Daniel due to respect for the office of former governor, despite fears Daniel might later oppose him.
  • The governor welcomed defectors from Daniel's and the late Senator Buruji Kashamu's political groups into the APC, strengthening the party for future elections.

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has disclosed that he supported former governor Gbenga Daniel's bid for the Senate in 2023, even though he received warnings about potential political opposition from Daniel later on. Abiodun explained his decision was rooted in respect for Daniel as a former governor and a belief in maintaining decorum between past and present officeholders.

"Despite the warnings, I supported Daniel because of my respect for him as a former governor and my belief that political disagreements should not diminish the respect accorded former occupants of the office," Abiodun stated. He added, "I just decided that we should honour him because one day, I will also become a former governor."

Despite the warnings, I supported Daniel because of my respect for him as a former governor and my belief that political disagreements should not diminish the respect accorded former occupants of the office.

— Dapo AbiodunOgun State Governor explaining his decision to support Gbenga Daniel for Senate.

The governor made these remarks while receiving members of Daniel's political family and loyalists of the late Senator Buruji Kashamu into the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abeokuta. He described this move as a significant development that will bolster the APC's strength ahead of the 2027 elections.

I just decided that we should honour him because one day, I will also become a former governor.

— Dapo AbiodunOgun State Governor explaining his rationale for respecting former governors.

Abiodun also touched upon past political dynamics, recalling a meeting where Daniel reportedly expressed uncertainty about the next governor, despite a contender being from his party. The governor expressed concern over Daniel's foundation relaunch, which reportedly featured the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate as a guest of honor, suggesting Daniel might be operating outside the APC's mainstream.

Reflecting on his own political journey, Abiodun cautioned against the abuse of power, stating, "You don’t begin to act as if you are God. You don’t begin to play as if you are an emperor. God gives us power and looks at how we use it."

You don’t begin to act as if you are God. You don’t begin to play as if you are an emperor. God gives us power and looks at how we use it.

— Dapo AbiodunOgun State Governor cautioning against the abuse of political power.
DistantNews Editorial

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

More Stories

From Our Blog