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.
Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has claimed that he has been under pressure to contest for the Nasarawa North Senatorial seat in the 2027 election.
The governor made the disclosure during the visit of the state executive members to his country home in Akwanga LGA on Saturday, March 21.
Governor Sule also revealed the identity of those pressuring him to contest in the election, a development that has led to mixed reactions from Nigeria.
Abdullahi Sule, the governor of Nasarawa State, has claimed that he has been under pressure to contest for the Nasarawa North senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.
The governor made the revelation while hosting the state executive council members, led by Deputy Governor Emmanuel Akabe, at his residence in Gudi Country Home in the Akwanga local government area of the state.
According to Daily Trust, Governor Sule cited pressure from some stakeholders who are asking him to contest, and the need for Nasarawa North to have quality representation.
With all the pressure coming from our leaders, and so I don’t want them to feel offended that I have not been responding, I promise them I will contest when the time comes.”
Governor Sule disclosed that he had been planning to support one person, but had a change of mind when the person joined the call on him to contest for the position.
He went further to explain that he is consulting with stakeholders before he makes the final decision and that traditional rulers and senior politicians from Nasarawa North are also persuading him to contest for the senatorial seat.
However, the governor’s claim has started generating reactions from the people of the state. Below are some of their reactions:
Mohammed Zakariyau said it is the governor’s interest:
“You are interested in going and nothing else because that’s your sole choice, nobody can decide your future for you, and therefore, the issue of ‘under pressure from certain quarters is immaterial here'”.
Cos Mafuyai projected that the governor may not perform if elected as a senator:
“People who are pressured don’t perform once elected, but people who nurse the ambition into elective office and work hard to win do.”
Bem Haanya urged the governor to be wary of betrayal:
“Na so dem mount pressure on Darius Dickson Ishaku o. Groups from Southern Taraba were flocking to Government House, Jalingo, to persuade him to contest for the senatorial seat, yet on election day, they abandoned him.”
Emmanuel Yohanna Allu questioned the governor’s claim:
“If you want to contest, no one is stopping you, but don’t use the word pressure. If I may ask, who is pressuring you?”
Longji Goro Job criticised the governor:
“One or two clowns that they normally give pocket money will tell them, ‘Oga, why not go for senate,’ and they will say under pressure.”
The All Progressives Congress has scheduled Tuesday, March 24, 2026, for the screening of aspirants vying for national offices ahead of its forthcoming national convention.
In a notice released by the party’s Aspirants’ Screening Committee, all candidates who have purchased and submitted their Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms were invited to participate in the exercise.
According to the notice, the screening will take place at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, with proceedings expected to begin at 9:00 am.
The committee stressed that attendance is compulsory for all aspirants, who must appear in person with the necessary documents for verification.
The notice, signed by the Secretary of the Screening Committee, Isa Yuguda, was also shared via the party’s official X (formerly Twitter) platform, alongside contact details for further enquiries.
Aspirants were advised to arrive early and ensure they come with all required documentation to facilitate a smooth screening process.
The Nigerian Senate has clarified why it is yet to take a position on the proposed amendment to the Electoral Act seeking to criminalise dual party membership, insisting that the bill must first be formally transmitted from the House of Representatives.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, said the upper chamber could not deliberate on a bill that had not been passed to it.
Even if any amendment is coming, we are running a bicameral legislature. So, we can’t comment on it until it gets to us,” he said.
He explained that legislative procedures must be completed at the House of Representatives before the Senate can consider the proposal.
According to Adaramodu, the process requires that any bill must: Pass first and second readings in the House; Undergo public hearing; Be deliberated upon and passed; Be transmitted to the Senate for concurrence.
Speaking to The PUNCH, he stressed that until these steps are completed, the Senate cannot officially engage with the amendment.
The proposed amendment to the Electoral Act 2026 seeks to: Prohibit individuals from belonging to more than one political party; Void any dual party membership; Impose stricter penalties on offenders.
Under the bill: Offenders risk a ₦10 million fine; Or up to two years imprisonment; Or both penalties upon conviction.
It also provides that anyone found to hold dual membership will lose recognition in all political parties until their status is regularised.
The move is aimed at addressing long-standing concerns over: Political defections; Manipulation of party membership registers; Weak enforcement of party discipline.
Although current laws discourage multiple party memberships, enforcement has largely been administrative, with little or no criminal consequences.
For the amendment to become law: It must be passed by both chambers of the National Assembly of Nigeria; It will then be forwarded to the President for assent.
Until then, the Senate maintains it cannot take any official position on the proposal.
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