- Safiu Kehinde
The battle for the Ogun East Senatorial District has begun as former Ogun governor, Sen. Gbenga Daniel, picked the senatorial form amidst the adoption of incumbent governor, Dapo Abiodun, as the sole candidate for the zone.
With the timetable and schedule of activities released by the All Progressives Congress (APC) fast winding towards the party’s primary election ahead of the deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Daniel had on Tuesday picked up his expression of interest and nomination forms.
The ex-Ogun governor announced the development in a post shared on his X handle.
He expressed his readiness to return to the Senate and represent the Ogun East.
“Today, I picked up my nomination and expression of interest forms as I seek to return to the Nigerian Senate, continuing my efforts to provide effective and responsive representation for the people of Ogun East Senatorial District under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.” He wrote.
Daniel’s celebration of his acquisition of the forms would however be short-lived as Abiodun also took to his X handle on Wednesday, announcing his adoption as the sole candidate for the Ogun East Senatorial District by the leaders of the zone.
With the curtains gradually drawing close on his second term as governor of the state, Abiodun had shifted attention to the senatorial ticket and had since been tipped to replace Daniel at the red chamber.
The governor, in his statement on X, expressed his gratitude to the leaders for their show of confidence and support for him as pledged not to disappoint them.
“We attended the Ogun East APC Stakeholders’ Meeting yesterday where leaders of the zone formally adopted me as the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus senatorial candidate for Ogun East.
“We sincerely appreciate this overwhelming show of confidence and support. It is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we assure our leaders and people that we will not let them down.” He wrote.
Abiodun further expressed confidence in securing the Ogun East senatorial ticket while also affirming the zone’s readiness to ensure that the party’s consensus governorship candidate, Sen. Solomon Adeola, and President Bola Tinubu emerge victorious at the 2027 elections.
“We are equally confident that Ogun East, alongside the entire state, will stand united to deliver Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola – YAYI as the next Governor of Ogun State. Together, we will also deliver resounding support for @officialABAT, GCFR
“Ogun State will record the highest number of votes in the South West. This is our collective resolve, and we remain fully committed to making it a reality.” He added.
Abiodun’s endorsement by the leaders of the Ogun East Senatorial district and Daniels’ decision to pick his return form has set in motion a new battle royale as electorate watch what options the former Governor will have to realise his return ambition.
NPO Reported that the leaders had at a recent meeting denied Daniel access despite arriving early at the venue of the meeting.
This had signalled the possible shift in the leaders’ attention from him to Dapo Abiodun’s candidacy.
Daniel who had over the past months engaged in rifts with Abiodun however held his head high as he expressed confidence in returning to the Senate.