Ogun Government: Daniel, a product of the consensus process, now criticizes the same arrangement that created him in 2023

Ogun State Government has dismissed Senator Gbenga Daniel’s recent accusations against Governor Dapo Abiodun as “the rantings of a drowning politician,” calling the former governor’s criticism of the consensus political arrangement that had helped him win the Ogun East senatorial seat in 2023 “shameless.”

The government noted the irony of Daniel, who had benefited from the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus process and from Abiodun’s intervention before the 2023 elections, now attacking the same party structure that secured his candidacy.

During his Midterm Assessment and Empowerment Tour in Ijebu Ode, Daniel alleged that Abiodun had neglected Ijebuland, stalled federal projects, caused Ogun State to lose the proposed Dangote Refinery, and opposed the establishment of a naval base in Abigi.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, described the allegations as “baseless, politically motivated, and symptomatic of a politician battling declining influence within the APC.”

According to Akinmade, Daniel has resorted to “cheap propaganda and outright falsehood” after realizing that his political ambitions for 2027 have suffered a major setback.

The statement said, “Daniel is simply fighting the same consensus arrangement and party structure that produced him as senator in 2023.”

“It is shocking that someone who benefited immensely from the collective decision of the party is now demonising the same process simply because it no longer aligns with his personal ambition,” Akinmade added.

He recalled that Abiodun, in the interest of party unity and cohesion, persuaded other aspirants—including the incumbent senator—to step down for Daniel during the 2023 senatorial contest.

Akinmade stated, “The governor ensured a peaceful consensus arrangement that paved the way for Daniel’s emergence as the APC senatorial candidate. It is therefore ironic that the same individual now seeks to discredit the party and its leadership merely because he could not have his way politically.”

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

It said, “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.”

The statement also criticized Daniel’s comparison of federal allocations received during his tenure as governor with those of the current administration, accusing him of ignoring prevailing economic realities and the sharp depreciation of the naira.

It added, “It is interesting that Daniel, who left office in 2011, when the exchange rate hovered between N150 and N170 to a 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.”

Regarding Daniel’s allegation that Abiodun frustrated the Dangote refinery project in Ogun State, the statement described the claim as false and contrary to publicly available facts.

Akinmade referenced remarks credited to President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, during a visit to 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 reflected renewed investor confidence in Ogun State under the Abiodun administration.

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

Akinmade said, “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.”

He also alleged that Daniel consistently 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.

He stated, “The party took a collective decision, but he behaves as though 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?”

Ogun State Government maintained that Abiodun remains focused on governance and the delivery of development projects across the state, despite distractions from political opponents.