Former Ogun State Governor and current senator, Gbenga Daniel, has formally obtained his nomination and expression of interest forms to contest for re-election to the Nigerian Senate under the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Daniel disclosed this in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, stating that his decision is motivated by a commitment to sustain what he described as effective and responsive representation for constituents of Ogun East Senatorial District.
“Today, I picked up my nomination and expression of interest forms as I seek to return to the Nigerian Senate, continuing my efforts to provide effective and responsive representation for the people of Ogun East Senatorial District under the platform of the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he wrote.
His move comes amid rising tension within the APC in Ogun East, following reports that party leaders and stakeholders had endorsed Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, as a consensus candidate for the senatorial ticket.
The endorsement was said to have been reached during a stakeholders’ meeting held at Adeola Odutola Hall in Ijebu-Ode. The gathering reportedly included party leaders, grassroots representatives, lawmakers, councillors, as well as youth and women leaders. A statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Lekan Adeniran, described the decision as unanimous among APC stakeholders across the district.
However, the meeting was marred by controversy after Daniel was reportedly denied entry into the venue. His supporters alleged that the move was a deliberate attempt to sideline him.
In a video that circulated online, Daniel claimed he and his supporters were barred from accessing the meeting despite arriving early.
“We have been here for our Ogun East APC caucus meeting since 10am, but surprisingly, we have been barred. We are told that we can’t enter,” he said.
The consensus arrangement was later reinforced through a communiqué in which former senator Lekan Mustapha and other stakeholders endorsed Abiodun as the preferred candidate, citing a collective agreement within the district.
However, supporters of Daniel, operating under the BATOGD Movement, rejected the process, describing it as a calculated effort to exclude their principal and influence the outcome in favour of the governor’s camp.
Speaking in Sagamu, the group’s spokesperson, retired General Olumuyiwa Okunowo, argued that the process violated APC guidelines on consensus candidacy and disenfranchised key stakeholders within the party.
The unfolding developments point to a looming internal contest within the Ogun East APC, as rival factions appear set for a showdown ahead of the 2027 elections.