The Ogun East All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ caucus meeting held on Monday took a dramatic turn as party leaders unanimously endorsed Governor Dapo Abiodun for the 2027 senatorial election, while the current senator representing the district, former Governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel, was controversially prevented from entering the meeting venue.
The high-level gathering, held at Adeola Odutola Hall in Ijebu-Ode, brought together a wide range of political actors including members of the Governor’s Advisory Council, serving and former lawmakers, local government chairmen, ward executives, councillors, as well as youth and women leaders. Organisers described the meeting as a show of unity and “broad-based consensus” within the party structure across Ogun East.
However, tensions rose outside the venue when Otunba Gbenga Daniel was reportedly denied access to the hall where the stakeholders’ meeting was taking place. His supporters, who accompanied him to the venue, expressed anger and disbelief, chanting slogans in his support as the situation unfolded. The incident quickly became a flashpoint, drawing attention to underlying divisions within the party.
Addressing his supporters outside the venue, Daniel expressed shock at being excluded from what he described as a key caucus meeting of the party in his senatorial district.
“We are here for our Ogun East APC caucus meeting, but surprisingly, we have been barred. Let it be on record that whatever they do here today is null and void,” he said.
Inside the hall, proceedings continued despite the absence of the senator, as party leaders moved swiftly to consolidate their position. The stakeholders announced their endorsement of Governor Dapo Abiodun as their preferred and consensus candidate for the 2027 senatorial race.
Former Senator Lekan Mustapha, speaking on behalf of the caucus, stated that the decision reflected collective confidence in the governor’s leadership capacity and political experience.
“We will formally communicate this decision to the governor and constitute a team to deliver the message. He has been adopted as our consensus candidate,” Mustapha said.
He further described Abiodun as a “man of proven character and intellect” who is well-positioned to represent Ogun East at the national level.
