‘Daniel Is an Ingrate, I Helped Him Become Governor,’ Dapo Abiodun Laments

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has intensified political tensions within the All Progressives Congress (APC) after openly describing former Governor and Senator Gbenga Daniel as “an ingrate,” in a widening internal rift over endorsements and senatorial ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.

The governor’s remarks were made during a stakeholders’ engagement of the APC in Ogun East, where he accused Daniel of benefiting politically from his support during the 2023 electoral cycle only to later challenge party consensus arrangements and realign independently within the senatorial contest.

Abiodun’s comments come amid escalating factional disputes within the party, particularly over zoning arrangements and emerging endorsement structures for both legislative and gubernatorial positions.

Party insiders say the conflict has deepened following Daniel’s renewed interest in contesting the Ogun East senatorial seat, despite earlier signals of internal consensus-building within the APC hierarchy.

In response, Daniel’s allies have dismissed the governor’s accusations, describing them as politically motivated narratives aimed at discrediting his growing influence within the district.

The exchange highlights an increasingly personal dimension to intra-party disagreements, where loyalty, succession planning, and political gratitude have become central talking points.

Analysts argue that the rift reflects a broader pattern in Nigerian politics where elite alliances frequently fracture ahead of major elections, especially when succession interests and territorial control collide.

With 2027 approaching, the Ogun APC appears increasingly divided, raising questions about internal cohesion and the potential impact on electoral performance in one of Nigeria’s politically strategic states.