Loyalists of former Ogun State governor and senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, have rejected the endorsement of Governor Dapo Abiodun as the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus candidate for the Ogun East senatorial seat ahead of the 2027 elections.
The group, operating under the aegis of the BATOGD Movement, described the process that produced Abiodun as a “consensus candidate” as exclusionary, alleging it was orchestrated by the governor’s loyalists in violation of the party’s guidelines.
Speaking with journalists at Daniel’s residence in Sagamu, the group’s spokesperson, retired General Olumuyiwa Okunowo, said the meeting tagged “Ogun East APC caucus meeting,” where the endorsement was announced, did not reflect a broad-based participation of party stakeholders.
According to him, several members who were qualified to attend were denied access to the venue, Adeola Odutola Hall in Ijebu-Ode, on Monday.
“Some of our members who were eminently qualified to attend according to the notice of invitation were told to leave the venue, with the explanation that ‘this is a DA show’ and could only be attended by loyalists of the governor,” Okunowo said.
He stated that while the group did not object to Abiodun’s supporters holding a separate meeting, it was misleading to present such a gathering as an official APC caucus meeting.
“We do not deny them their right to hold their own meeting, but they should have made their intentions clear instead of using the party’s name to legitimise what appears to be a pre-arranged outcome,” he added.
Okunowo also raised concerns over what he described as an unusual security presence around Daniel’s residence in Ijebu-Ode, alleging that armed personnel and vehicles were deployed without justification.
He called on security agencies to remain neutral and avoid actions that could be perceived as intimidation.
“We are in a democracy, and all citizens must be allowed to exercise their rights freely. Security agencies must not be used in ways that could undermine this,” he said.
Also speaking, a former chairman of Ijebu North East Local Government, Otunba Tayo Onayemi, questioned the legitimacy of the consensus arrangement, noting that such a process must be based on the voluntary agreement of all aspirants.
“Consensus, as recognised by law, requires that all interested parties agree. Without that, the party is expected to conduct primaries,” he said.
Similarly, former commissioner Akogun Kola Onadipe argued that due process was not followed, stressing that any consensus decision must be endorsed in writing by all aspirants.
“If even one aspirant disagrees, the party must revert to direct primaries. What happened does not meet that standard,” he said.
However, the APC in Ogun State dismissed the allegations, insisting that the meeting and its outcome were valid.
The party’s Publicity Secretary, Femi Nuberu, said the gathering was properly convened by the senatorial leadership of the party and that decisions taken at the meeting were binding.
He also said there had been no formal complaint regarding the alleged exclusion of any member, advising aggrieved parties to channel their grievances through the appropriate party structures.
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The endorsement of Abiodun was announced at a stakeholders’ meeting held at Adeola Odutola Hall, Ijebu-Ode, which drew party leaders and representatives from across Ogun East Senatorial District.
The development highlights emerging divisions within the APC in Ogun East as political alignments begin to take shape ahead of the 2027 general elections.