Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has welcomed members of the political families of former Governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel and the late Senator Buruji Kashamu into the mainstream of the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing their decision as a significant boost to the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Abiodun received the groups at a meeting at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta, where he commended their decision to align with the APC and pledged to work with them for the success of the party and its candidates across Ogun East Senatorial District.
The governor said political actors with common interests should be able to work together and speak with one voice, particularly ahead of an election, rather than dissipate their energy across different political platforms.
Abiodun, however, expressed concern over the recent relaunch of the foundation of Senator Daniel, who represents Ogun East in the National Assembly and is a former governor of the state, where the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, served as special guest of honour.
He said the development appeared to suggest that Daniel had chosen to operate outside the mainstream APC despite his status as a former governor and influential political figure in the state.
The governor said his relationship with Daniel had been guided by respect for the office of governor and the responsibilities associated with being a former occupant of the position.
“You know OGD is my leader because he was governor before me. I joined Ogun State politics way before him. Without a doubt, I was a senator-elect in the state in 1996/1997,” Abiodun said.
The governor reflected on his political journey, saying his experiences had taught him that political influence and public office were privileges from God that should be exercised responsibly.
“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. If you utilise it very well, God will leave it with you for a long time to continue to wield it. If you abuse it, God will take it away from you and give it to somebody else,” he said.
Abiodun also revisited the political developments leading to the 2023 elections, saying he had been advised against supporting Daniel’s emergence as the APC senatorial candidate because of concerns that the former governor might eventually turn against him.
Despite the advice, he said he supported Daniel because of his respect for him as a former governor and his belief that political differences should not diminish the regard accorded former occupants of the office.
“I just decided that we should honour him because one day, I will also become a former governor,” Abiodun said.
The governor further recalled an occasion when, according to him, Daniel expressed uncertainty over who would emerge as the next governor of Ogun State despite one of the contestants being a member of his political party.
“Now the gloves are off. He is the same person that we heard in an audio saying he had taken someone to court,” Abiodun added.
Abiodun assured the new APC entrants that they would not regret their decision, promising that his administration would continue to promote unity, inclusiveness and cohesion within the party.
He also disclosed that significant developments concerning Ogun State’s anticipated emergence as an oil-producing state and the proposed deep-sea port would be announced before the end of the year.
Speaking at the meeting, the Governor’s Senior Consultant on Political Matters, Aremo Tunde Adesanya, said the delegation was at the meeting to formally reaffirm its loyalty to the APC and its commitment to the Abiodun administration.
Adesanya, who previously served as the coordinator of Daniel in Odogbolu Local Government Area before his removal over his alignment with the APC mainstream, said the group had resolved to fully identify with the ruling party.
Also speaking, Mr Oladipupo Owoduni said the meeting was convened to bring together political stakeholders committed to the APC, Governor Abiodun and the party’s candidates.
He dismissed reports that members of the group would support candidates of other political parties, insisting that their loyalty remained with the APC.
Owoduni disclosed that the group had commenced the “Operation 5 Direct” mobilisation programme, aimed at securing victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Abiodun in his senatorial bid, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola in the governorship election, as well as APC candidates for the House of Representatives and Ogun State House of Assembly in Ogun East.
The development comes as political realignments gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Ogun East emerging as an important battleground in the state’s political calculations.
Daniel, who served as Ogun State governor from 2003 to 2011, currently represents Ogun East in the Senate. He contested the 2023 senatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party before subsequently joining the APC.
The late Senator Buruji Kashamu, who represented Ogun East in the Senate between 2015 and 2019, was also a prominent political figure in the state and a major power broker within the PDP before his death in 2020.
The latest alignment of political figures associated with the Daniel and Kashamu camps with the APC could therefore strengthen the ruling party’s grassroots structure in Ogun East as it begins early mobilisation for the 2027 elections.
The development is also significant against the backdrop of past political divisions within Ogun State, where alliances involving former governors, incumbent political office holders and competing party structures have often shaped electoral contests.
With the APC now seeking to consolidate its structure across Ogun East, the latest realignment is expected to intensify political activity in the district ahead of the 2027 polls.
