Odufowokan dismisses Daniel’s claims and predicts Abiodun will win in Ogun 2027

Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Mr. Dare Odufowokan, has denied claims made by Senator Gbenga Daniel of Ogun East that he secured the party’s senatorial ticket in 2023 through a large turnout at the primary election.

Speaking on Television Continental on Saturday, Odufowokan said the alleged primary never occurred, noting that Senator Daniel was reportedly at the palace of the late Oba Sikiru Adetona finalising a consensus arrangement at the time the exercise was scheduled.

His statement was supported by Dr. Abayomi Arabambi, National Vice Chairman (South‑West) of the Labour Party and former chairman of the Inter‑Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Ogun State, who said that political opposition in the state had never enjoyed the level of freedom available under Governor Abiodun.

Odufowokan explained that journalists, party supporters and stakeholders waited until late that night for the primary before the Director‑General of Senator Lekan Mustapha’s campaign, Dr. Ipaye, informed them that a consensus had been reached at Awujale’s palace in favour of Senator Daniel.

He added that Senator Mustapha then agreed not to return to the Senate.

“The alleged primary referred to by Senator Gbenga Daniel never held. If a primary had not held by 5 p.m., why is somebody claiming to have won five local governments? Senator Daniel never surfaced at the venue until a deal was reached very late in the night at the palace of the late Awujale,” Odufowokan said.

He further said that when Senator Daniel eventually appeared, he had to persuade Dr. Ipaye to publicly raise his hands so supporters of Senator Lekan Mustapha could believe the consensus was genuine.

Addressing allegations that Senator Daniel was barred from a recent stakeholders’ meeting in Ijebu Ode, Odufowokan denied the claim, insisting no one prevented the former governor from entering the venue.

According to him, the disagreement arose because Senator Daniel arrived with a busload of supporters and insisted on driving into the meeting venue with them, a move that party leaders reportedly opposed.

Odufowokan said he personally approached the senator together with the chairman of Odogbolu Local Government and advised him to enter the venue in a smaller vehicle with only himself and his security aides, but the senator allegedly declined.

“He decided he was not going to participate in the meeting. Senator Daniel only came on TV to play to the gallery,” he said.

On Senator Daniel’s opposition to Governor Abiodun’s endorsement for the Ogun East APC senatorial ticket ahead of the 2027 elections, Odufowokan expressed confidence that the governor would win the party’s primary.

“Governor Abiodun will win the Ogun State primary because he has given Ogun East legacy projects we can never forget. He has given us roads, an airport, health projects, among others,” he said.

Responding to Senator Daniel’s claim that he facilitated the establishment of a naval dockyard in Ogun State, Odufowokan said the project was conceived and executed by Governor Abiodun after several meetings with naval authorities.

“All documents relating to the project have the imprint of Governor Dapo Abiodun,” he said, challenging Senator Daniel to publish documentary evidence linking him directly to the initiative.

He further argued that Senator Daniel was merely moving motions on the Senate floor after discussions between Governor Abiodun and naval authorities had already been concluded.

Dr. Arabambi reiterated that Senator Lekan Mustapha was persuaded to step down for Senator Daniel through a consensus arrangement brokered at the palace of the Awujale.

“This is the first time we are having clean opposition in Ogun State. During Daniel’s time, you couldn’t query him or challenge him the way he is now challenging Governor Abiodun. Some of us have cases against Governor Abiodun, but the kind of freedom we enjoy now did not happen under Governor Daniel,” Arabambi said.