By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
Former Ogun State Governor and senator representing Ogun East, Senator Gbenga Daniel, has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary race in Ogun State and directed his supporters to boycott the exercise.
Daniel’s withdrawal, which became public on Sunday night, has stirred fresh political tension within the ruling party in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former governor’s political structure, known as BATOGD, announced the decision, citing alleged security concerns and threats of violence surrounding the conduct of the primary election.
According to the camp, supporters were advised not to participate in Monday’s primary, alleging that certain political interests had planned to intimidate delegates and disrupt the exercise.
The development has generated mixed reactions across Ogun political circles, as Daniel is considered one of the major power blocs in the state APC.
However, the Ogun State government and supporters of Governor Dapo Abiodun reportedly dismissed the allegations, insisting that the primary process remained peaceful and transparent. They alleged that Daniel’s withdrawal was a strategic move prompted by fears of defeat at the polls.
The Merit Newspaper reports that the withdrawal is expected to reshape the political dynamics within Ogun APC, particularly in Ogun East Senatorial District, where Daniel has remained a strong force since joining the National Assembly.
Political analysts say the move may further deepen the rivalry between factions loyal to Daniel and those aligned with Governor Abiodun, as the battle for control of the party structure intensifies ahead of future elections.
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As of the time of filing this report, Senator Daniel had not personally issued an official statement beyond the announcement made by his political associates.
