Following Governor Dapo Abiodun’s emergence as the APC Ogun East senatorial district candidate ahead of the 2027 elections, the Convener of the “Sustainability of Ogun State & Dapo Abiodun Legacy Beyond 2027,” Arabambi Abayomi has declared that “the nightmare is over” for Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel.
The controversy erupted after APC stakeholders in Ogun East unanimously backed Governor Abiodun for the senatorial seat, effectively ending weeks of speculation over a possible showdown between the governor and Daniel, a former Ogun State governor and current senator representing the district.
Reacting to the development, Arabambi Abayomi, said Senator Daniel withdrew from the race after allegedly realising he lacked the political support needed to secure victory within the party.
“Wake up, Senator Daniel, the nightmare is over. The party has spoken clearly,” Abayomi declared.
According to him, Daniel “saw the writing on the wall” and had no viable path to clinching the APC ticket.
The latest outburst followed an opinion article by political analyst Alex Olutunbosun titled “Tinubu, Abiodun, and the Cost of Rewarding Rebellion,” which accused President Bola Tinubu of allegedly rewarding disloyalty within the South-West APC by backing Governor Abiodun’s political advancement.
Olutunbosun had argued that Governor Abiodun failed to fully support Tinubu’s presidential ambition during the APC primaries.
But Abayomi dismissed the claim, insisting that Governor Abiodun actively worked behind the scenes during the APC convention and played a significant role in persuading former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to step down for Tinubu.
The APC chieftain further accused Senator Daniel of anti-party activities, alleging that the former governor undermined the APC during the 2023 governorship election by supporting opposition interests.
He also claimed Daniel was suspended indefinitely by the Ogun State APC in August 2025 over alleged anti-party conduct.
According to Abayomi, the senator failed to honour invitations from a disciplinary committee set up by the party and allegedly intimidated members expected to testify against him.
As of press time, Senator Daniel and his media team had yet to officially respond to the allegations.
The endorsement of Governor Abiodun has also reignited debate over the APC’s use of consensus arrangements in selecting candidates.
Supporters of Senator Daniel argued that the process violated provisions of the Electoral Act, which require written consent from all aspirants in consensus arrangements or the conduct of direct primaries where consensus fails.
However, loyalists of Governor Abiodun countered that Daniel himself benefited from a similar arrangement during the 2023 elections.
Abiodun’s loyalists explained that the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, reportedly intervened in 2023 to persuade Senator Lekan Mustapha to step down in favour of Daniel.
Governor Abiodun’s spokesman, Kayode Akinmade, defended the endorsement, saying Daniel was now opposing the same political structure that paved the way for his emergence as senator in 2023.
“He benefited immensely from the collective decision of the party and should respect the same process even when it no longer favours his ambition,” Akinmade stated.
He further alleged that Daniel worked against Governor Abiodun during the 2023 governorship election by backing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Ladi Adebutu.
Despite the growing tension, APC stakeholders backing Governor Abiodun insisted the matter had been settled and urged party members to close ranks ahead of future elections.
Abayomi called on Senator Daniel and his supporters to accept the outcome in the interest of party unity.
“The party has made its decision. Ogun East deserves stability, unity and continuity, not endless political conflict,” he said.
Political observers believe the battle over the Ogun East senatorial ticket may become one of the defining internal struggles within the APC in the South-West as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
