Daniel, Product of Consensus Arrangement, Now Rejecting Same Process He Benefited From in 2023

The Ogun State Government has described Senator Gbenga Daniel’s recent allegations against Governor Dapo Abiodun as the “rantings of a drowning politician,” accusing the former governor of shamelessly demonising and turning against the same consensus political arrangement that facilitated his emergence as the Ogun East senatorial candidate in 2023.

The Government said it was ironic that Daniel, who benefited from the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus process ahead of the 2023 elections through the support and intervention of Governor Abiodun, is now attacking the same party structure and process that helped secure his senatorial ticket.

Daniel, while speaking during his Midterm Assessment and Empowerment Tour in Ijebu Ode, had accused Governor Abiodun of neglecting Ijebuland, frustrating federal projects facilitated by him, causing Ogun State to lose the proposed Dangote Refinery project, and opposing the establishment of a naval base in Abigi.

Reacting in a statement on Wednesday, the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the Governor, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, dismissed the allegations as baseless, politically motivated, and borne out of frustration following what he described as Daniel’s dwindling political influence within the APC.

According to Akinmade, the senator had resorted to “cheap lies and propaganda” after allegedly realizing that his political calculations ahead of 2027 had suffered a major setback.

“Daniel is simply fighting the same consensus arrangement and party structure that produced him as senator in 2023. It is surprising that someone who benefited immensely from the collective decision of the party is now attacking the same process because it no longer suits his personal ambition,” Akinmade stated.

He noted that Governor Abiodun had, in 2023, prevailed on other aspirants, including the then incumbent senator, to step down for Daniel in the interest of party unity and cohesion.

“The Governor ensured a peaceful consensus that led to Daniel’s emergence as the APC senatorial candidate. So, it is ironic that the same person now seeks to discredit the party and its leadership simply because he could not have his way politically,” he added.

The Government further maintained that residents of Ogun State, particularly in Ijebuland, remain appreciative of the developmental strides of the Abiodun administration, especially in infrastructure renewal and road rehabilitation.

“Everybody in the state, especially in Ijebuland, appreciates the modest achievements of Governor Dapo Abiodun. Most of the deplorable roads abandoned by previous administrations have now been fixed, while about 29 major road projects have been completed in Ijebu Ode alone,” Akinmade said.

The statement also faulted Daniel’s comparison of Federal allocations received during his tenure as governor and those accruing to the current administration, accusing him of deliberately ignoring prevailing economic realities and the sharp depreciation of the naira.

“It is interesting that Daniel, who left office in 2011 when the exchange rate hovered around N150 to N170 per dollar, is now claiming he would have executed more projects with current allocations at a time the dollar exchanges for over N1,370. In his desperation to attack the governor, he ignored basic economic realities,” the statement said.

On the allegation that Governor Abiodun frustrated the Dangote Refinery project in Ogun State, the government described the claim as false and contrary to publicly available facts.

Akinmade referenced remarks credited to the President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, during a visit to the governor’s office in Abeokuta, where he reportedly praised the administration’s investor-friendly policies and enabling business environment.

The government added that the ongoing expansion of Dangote cement plants in Itori and Ibeshe reflects growing investor confidence in Ogun State under Governor Abiodun.

The statement further accused Daniel of engaging in anti-party activities during the 2023 governorship election and subsequent political contests in the state.

“The leadership and stakeholders of the APC in Ogun East became uncomfortable with Daniel’s repeated anti-party activities, including openly supporting opposition elements during the 2023 governorship election and other elections in the state,” Akinmade stated.

He also alleged that Daniel often disregarded party structures and due process by acting independently without adequate consultation with relevant authorities and stakeholders.

Recalling a recent APC stakeholders’ meeting in Ijebu Ode, Akinmade alleged that Daniel attempted to create unnecessary tension by arriving at the venue with supporters and media personnel.

“The party took a collective decision, but he believes he is bigger than the party. When Governor Abiodun was adopted as the consensus candidate for Ogun East, stakeholders from ward, local government, and state levels were all present. So why is he now fighting the same process that once worked in his favour?” he queried.

The Ogun State Government maintained that Governor Abiodun remains focused on governance and delivering developmental projects across the state despite what it described as distractions from political opponents.