Politics
Dapo Abiodun, Gbenga Daniel Trade Words Over Witch-Hunt, Intolerance
The political sparring between Governor Dapo Abiodun and former Governor Gbenga Daniel escalated on Sunday as Daniel accused Abiodun of intolerance and orchestrating a witch-hunt, rooted in the governor’s alleged aversion to inclusive governance.
Daniel made the remarks during a visit by his Bola Ahmed Tinubu/Otunba Gbenga Daniel political group to Ijebu Igbo in Ijebu North Local Government Area for the continuation of his Midterm Assessment Tour as Senator representing Ogun East.
According to Daniel, Abiodun operates a “three-man closed government where no one outside the tiny cabal can offer counsel without being ostracised, victimised, and marked for persecution.”
Daniel said, “It is the norm worldwide that after elections, governance is administered for all—for those who voted for you and those who did not. But since 2019 in Ogun State, the opposite is the case. Governance is administered strictly for a select few, while those perceived to be against the government are treated as outcasts. Threat of sack, demolition notices—these are weapons deployed against traditional rulers, community leaders, and even teachers, simply for interacting with those who have dared to offer constructive criticism. This is not governance; it is a cult, run with dictatorial instincts, treating our commonwealth as a personal estate.”
But Abiodun’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, dismissed Daniel’s allegations as baseless and an attempt to deflect the anti-party allegations levelled against him in Ward 4, Sabo, Sagamu.
Akinmade said, “If Senator Daniel knew he was not guilty of the anti-party allegation, why did he not go to defend himself before the investigation panel set up by his ward? Why has he now found it convenient to defend himself in the newspapers? The former governor is playing to the gallery and should be ignored.”
He added that the state government was not opposed to developmental projects but insisted Daniel must follow due process and obtain necessary clearances, noting that other senators, such as Solomon Adeola and Shuaib Salisu, always complied.
Akinmade further argued that Daniel, not Abiodun, should be accused of intolerance, citing how Daniel treated members of the state and national assembly during his tenure as governor.
Daniel said he ran into trouble with Abiodun because he dared to offer counsel where he deemed necessary.
“As a former governor and as your senator, I have a duty to speak truth to power,” he said. “I have tried, on several occasions, to counsel this governor privately on these issues. The reward for my private counsel was public ostracisation and removal from party and government activities. I have, therefore, held my peace, focusing on my work in Abuja. But when that work is sabotaged, silence is no longer an option.”
The former governor claimed that Abiodun was behind his purported suspension by the Ogun APC over alleged anti-party activities, describing it as part of the governor’s unwillingness to accommodate voices outside his inner circle.
“Let me be clear: there were no anti-party activities from me or any member of the BATOGD Movement before, during, or after any election. Our record is clean, our loyalty to the party and the President is unwavering. The problem is not about party discipline; it is about one man’s inability to tolerate inclusive governance.”
Daniel alleged that Abiodun consistently issued stop-work orders on constituency projects he facilitated for the senatorial district, including rehabilitation of the Itanrin and General Hospital roads.
“They erroneously believe the federal contractors are ‘OGD’s contractors’ and, in line with their agenda of removing anything associated with me, the projects must be frustrated. A ‘stop work order’ has been issued by the Local Government Chairman under immense pressure. The government is not asking why these projects are being blocked. If this order remains beyond December 2025, federal funding will be lost,” he warned.
He highlighted other interventions, including motorised boreholes, solar streetlights in Ago-Iwoye and Ijebu-Igbo, sponsoring bills for a Federal Medical Centre in Ijebu Ode, and free eye surgeries for over 4,000 people, noting that such initiatives were being undermined.
Daniel urged traditional rulers and leaders to prevail on the governor to stop issuing halt orders on constituency projects, warning that these actions were shortchanging the people and delaying development.
Daniel reaffirmed that the BATOGD Movement remains committed to the development of Ogun East and President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He expressed gratitude to the APC National Working Committee and President Tinubu for intervening in the party crisis, citing a recent letter by National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru affirming his party membership.
He added that he is ready to defend his innocence before any investigation panel, appealing for the intervention of traditional rulers and well-meaning leaders to resolve the impasse.
It will be recalled that following an inquiry by MJS Law Firm, Basiru stated that the NWC had yet to deliberate on Daniel’s suspension, confirming him as a bona fide member of the party.
The APC in Ward 4, Sabo, Sagamu, however, insisted the suspension remained in force, arguing that the NWC lacked authority to override disciplinary actions at ward, local government, state, or zonal levels, citing Daniel’s alleged refusal to honour invitations to defend himself.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to increase its number of governors to 26, following the imminent defection of Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The move comes as Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas is already considered to be in the APC fold, pending his official reception ceremony.
A source within the APC National Working Committee (NWC) confirmed that Governor Mutfwang’s decision to switch allegiance ahead of the 2027 general elections has been “wrapped up”, and he has already held a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The APC official confirmed that Governor Mutfwang, who was elected on the platform of the factionalized PDP, contacted the APC National Chairman last week to signal his intention to quit the main opposition party.
“The governor, who had always reiterated his commitment to the PDP, has finally decided. He informed the chairman last Tuesday, and the chairman took him to the president on Sunday,” the NWC member revealed to The Nation.
The official noted that the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda (who was Mutfwang’s rival in the last governorship poll), subsequently facilitated a meeting for the Plateau Governor at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
“Governor Mutfwang has been taken to Aso Villa for a meeting with the president after informing the chairman he wanted to come to the APC. He will be received into the party very soon,” the source added.
This confirmation ends swirling speculations that the defection was being resisted by Prof. Yilwatda, with the party official dismissing such reports as untrue.
The NWC member also stated that Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas is now being treated as an APC member, putting the ruling party’s count at 26 governors.
“We now have 26 governors in APC, with Kefas on board. He only postponed his reception because of sensitivity to the national mood,” the official added, referencing the initial postponement of Kefas’s official defection rally.
Statutory organs and key leadership blocs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have thrown their weight behind the newly elected National Working Committee (NWC) led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), signaling a major consolidation effort following the party’s 2025 National Convention in Ibadan.
The show of force and unity is being organized through a series of high-level solidarity meetings scheduled to hold in Abuja over the coming days.
In a statement signed by the National Organizing Secretary, Theophilus Dakas Shan, the party structures mobilized include: PDP State Chairmen; National Assembly Caucuses (Senate and House of Representatives); National Ex-Officio members; Forums of former governors, ministers, and past NWC officials.
The party announced a schedule of strategic engagements aimed at stabilizing the party and charting a new course for the opposition movement.
The key meetings are slated as follows: the NWC will on Wednesday, meet separately with PDP state chairmen, members of the House of Representatives, and National Ex-Officio members. On December 16, former governors, former ministers, and former NWC members are expected to meet the new party leadership, while the Senate Caucus will hold its session with the NWC on December 17.
Shan stated that the meetings are crucial steps in “the consolidating efforts of the newly elected NWC to stabilize and chart a new course for the party flowing from the successful conduct of the just concluded 2025 elective National Convention of the party in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital.”
During the Wednesday engagement, the NWC will also officially present the Certificate of Return to Dr. Oluwole Oluyede, affirming him as the party’s flag-bearer for the upcoming Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for June 20, 2026.
In a related development, the PDP has appointed a high-powered 24-member Osun State Governorship Appeal Panel to review all appeals arising from the state’s recently concluded primary election ahead of the 2026 governorship poll.
The panel will be chaired by the new National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki, with Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja serving as Secretary.
The panel is scheduled to sit on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the Bauchi Governors Lodge, Tatari Ali House, Asokoro, Abuja. The party explicitly mandated the panel to be “guided strictly by the PDP Constitution (2025 as amended), the Electoral Guidelines for Party Primary and Electoral Act, 2022.”
A political insider Peter Ameh has provided insights into the ongoing speculation surrounding the potential switch of the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, from the Labour Party (LP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
During his appearance on the MIC ON PODCAST, Ameh assured listeners that Obi is committed to remaining with the LP for the time being.
He also highlighted an existing understanding regarding a future transition. “He knows the plan and will announce it when the time is right,”
Ameh remarked, indicating that Obi’s decision will be made with careful timing and consideration.
Ameh elaborated that these discussions are part of a larger strategy to cultivate a more robust opposition coalition aimed at effectively challenging the ruling party in the upcoming 2027 elections.
He encouraged supporters to be patient and trust the process, emphasizing that any potential transition will be guided by thorough consultations and strategic planning. The focus will be on fostering national progress, unity, and credible leadership.
This insight hints at a significant potential shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, one that could facilitate meaningful change and provide voters with a strong alternative in the future.
Follow us on WhatsApp for: Hot Breaking News, Business, Political, Entertainment, Lifestyle, and Sports…telling it as it is….
We’ll Do Whatever We Can To Sign Salah, Saudi Arabia Vows
Dollar To Naira Exchange Rate Today, December 10th, 2025
US Congressman Visits Benue, Seeks Global Attention To IDP Crisis
-
Politics2 days ago2027 Election: Peter Obi’s Next Move Revealed; Why He’s Still With Labour Party
-
Entertainment1 day agoTikTok Restricts Late-Night Live Access For Nigerian Users
-
News2 days agoBenin Coup: Trending Video Shows Rebels Reportedly Firing At Jet Tinubu Sent
-
News2 days agoKWAM 1’s Awujale Dream: Ijebu Royal Family Denies Singer’s Alleged Link To Them: “He’s Not With Us”
-
News2 days agoBreaking: Court Takes Decision Over Nnamdi Kanu’s Plea To Be Transferred from Sokoto Prison
-
Business1 day agoGovt Restores 450MW To Grid After Power Fleet Revamp
-
Lifestyle2 days agoVIDEO: Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Releases 2026 Prophecy, Mentions Two Things that Will Happen P
-
Entertainment1 day agoOne Battle After Another Leads Golden Globe Nominations With Nine