Video: I supported Daniel to become governor, Senator —Abiodun
Abdullateef Fowewe
Governor Dapo Abiodun has asserted he played a pivotal role in Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s 2003 gubernatorial victory and his 2023 Senate election, while announcing his own intention to contest the Ogun East Senate seat in 2027.
Speaking at an All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders meeting at his private residence in Iperu Remo on Tuesday night, Abiodun, in a viral video, lamented what he described as ingratitude from the incumbent senator.
He revealed that after losing the PDP governorship primary to Daniel in 2003, he “was the first to congratulate him and handed over all my structures to him.”
Abiodun further claimed credit for Daniel’s Senate success, stating, “I know what I did for Governor Daniel to become a senator. This is not something that I have ever said publicly, but these are facts. Prince Segun Adesegun and Sen Lekan Mustapha were the front-runners in that election. I know what my intervention was before the two of them agreed to step down for Otunba Daniel to eventually emerge as the party’s candidate.”
The governor expressed disappointment, adding, “If Senator Daniel now feels that the only way he wants to repay my years of support is to be sponsoring negative publicity and media attacks against me, I leave him to his conscience.”
Abiodun pledged robust representation if elected, promising, “I will not be a back bencher. I will not be the kind of person who gets there just to look. I will offer good representation to the good people of Ogun East, so help me God.”
He assured, “When you gave me the mandate of Ogun State, I have never disappointed you. I want to assure you that I will offer Ogun East the best representation ever in the history of the Red Chamber.”
The announcement follows hours after Senator Daniel, the incumbent, picked up nomination and expression of interest forms for reelection, setting the stage for a potential intra-party showdown.
