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.
As Osun State heads towards the August 15, 2026 governorship election, the battle between incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party and Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is becoming one of the most closely watched political contests in the country.
While the election remains too close to call with certainty, a careful assessment of the current political situation gives Governor Ademola Adeleke a slight edge over Oyebamiji.
The contest is increasingly shaping up as a two-horse race, although African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Najeem Salaam remains a notable third-force contender.
Why Adeleke May Have the Advantage
One of Adeleke’s biggest strengths is incumbency. The governor is seeking to retain the office and has been campaigning on projects and programmes implemented during his first term.
His campaign has also received political boosts from defections by some former APC figures and associates of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola. Several former commissioners and aides have reportedly moved towards Adeleke’s camp.
Adeleke has additionally received endorsements from some traditional security outfits and ethnic groups in the state, although such endorsements should not automatically be interpreted as guaranteed votes.
Another important factor is the governor’s political visibility. Having contested and won the governorship previously, Adeleke already has an established electoral structure and name recognition across the state.
Why Oyebamiji Could Still Shock Adeleke
Despite Adeleke’s advantages, Oyebamiji should not be underestimated.
The APC candidate has the backing of the federal ruling party and former Governor Oyetola, while the APC is attempting to regain control of Osun after losing the governorship in 2022. Analysts have described the contest as a critical battle for the APC and a test of its ability to recover political ground in the state.
An earlier opinion poll published in January gave Oyebamiji 52 per cent against Adeleke’s 38 per cent, although that survey is several months old and should not be treated as a current projection of the final result.
The APC has also been working to consolidate its structures across the state and present Oyebamiji as an alternative to the incumbent.
The Major Problem for APC
The biggest concern for Oyebamiji may be internal cohesion.
Reports in recent weeks have highlighted resignations and defections within the Osun APC, with some former party members moving towards Adeleke’s camp.
If the APC fails to unite its grassroots structures before election day completely, Adeleke could benefit significantly.
Prediction
Prediction: Ademola Adeleke is slightly more likely to win the Osun 2026 governorship election.
Ademola Adeleke (Accord): 50%
Bola Oyebamiji (APC): 40%
Najeem Salaam (ADC): 10%
These figures are mere analytical estimates, not opinion polls or official forecasts. The election could still swing towards Oyebamiji if the APC succeeds in consolidating its structures, increasing turnout in its strongholds and converting federal political influence into actual votes.
However, based on incumbency, Adeleke’s existing grassroots structure, recent defections to his camp and the current political momentum, the prediction at this stage is that Adeleke could narrowly retain the Osun Government House.
The outcome will ultimately depend on voter turnout, party organisation, election-day mobilisation and the actual votes cast and counted on August 15.
Predicted Winner: Ademola Adeleke — Accord Party.
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday ruled against Mr. Timehin Adeleye, who represented the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency of Ondo State, declaring him ineligible as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the federal constituency.
The court recognized Abdugani Arobo as the legitimate candidate for the party.
Adeleye had previously been listed as a candidate based on information provided to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC).
However, this decision sparked protests among several APC members and party leaders in Ondo State who opposed the NWC’s ruling.
Abdugani Arobo, one of the aspirants dissatisfied with the NWC’s selection, initiated legal action against the APC and INEC, culminating in the recent court decision.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, the court held that the APC failed to make the lawful return and that the evidence of the party was riddled with inconsistencies.
The court declared that the plaintiff (Arobo) was the winner of the primary election for the House of Representatives election for Owo/Ose Federal Constituency.
The judgment read, “The plaintiff, having scored the highest lawful votes cast at the primary election held on the 16th day of May, 2026 with a total of 7,959 votes in Owo Local Government Area and 2,583 votes in Ose Local Government Area respectively, is the only aspirant whose name can be lawfully forwarded to the second defendant (INEC) as its nominated candidate for the seat of the House of Representatives, representing Owo/Ose Federal Constituency.
“An order is hereby made for the defendants to forthwith accept, recognise, support, relate and deal with only the plaintiff, as winner of the House of Representatives election for Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, the plaintiff having scored the highest lawful votes cast in the first defendant’s primary election conducted on the 16th day of May, 2026.
“An order of perpetual injunction is made restraining the defendants, their agents and privies howsoever described, from recognising, dealing or relating with any other person apart from the plaintiff, as winner of the House of Representatives election for Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, the plaintiff having scored the highest lawful votes cast in the first defendant’s primary election conducted on the 16th day of May, 2026.
“An order is further made, directing the 2nd defendant forthwith to reopen its portal, for the purpose of including and uploading the plaintiff’s name, as rightfully nominated candidate of the 1st defendant, for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency general election, to be conducted in 2027.”
The Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Gombe Local Government Area of Gombe State, Hon. Babangida Usman, popularly known as Babangida Ventures, has resigned from the party and defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in support of the governorship ambition of Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami ahead of the 2027 general election.
Babangida announced his resignation in Gombe, confirming that he had stepped down as ADC Local Government Secretary before formally joining the PDP.
Explaining the reasons for his defection, he said his decision was driven by his conviction that Professor Pantami possesses the competence, experience and leadership qualities required to move Gombe State forward.
He described the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy as the most credible and capable aspirant in the 2027 governorship race, expressing confidence that his administration would accelerate development across the state.
According to him, his decision to align with the PDP was borne out of his desire to contribute to the realisation of Pantami’s governorship aspiration and the transformation of Gombe State.
The defection is the latest in a series of political realignments in the state following Pantami’s emergence as the PDP governorship candidate, with several politicians and supporters across party lines declaring their support for his ambition.
Professor Pantami is expected to fly the PDP flag in the 2027 governorship election in Gombe State
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