Despite a directive asking APC candidates not to commence campaign in Ogun state, party faithful gathered in droves at the Akarigbo palace in Sagamu on Sunday to flag-off Gbenga Daniel’s senatorial campaign.

Thousands of party faithful ignored a directive not to hold campaigns and massively turned out for the event. 

In attendance was Wale Edun, who represented the party’s presidential candidate Bola Tinubu. Former Lagos senators Ganiu Solomon and Musiliu Obanikoro also graced the occasion. Former Ogun deputy governors Senator Gbenga Kaka, Salmot Badru and Yetunde Onanuga were also present. House of Representatives candidates Gboyega Isiaka, lawmaker Adewunmi Onanuga, former Ogun state deputy speaker Dare Kadiri, among other top party chieftains showed up at the event.

Mr Daniel, a former governor, is running for the Ogun East senate in the 2023 elections. 

Known for his colourful campaigns, Mr Daniel had concluded arrangements for a mega rally before a statement was put out Saturday night to place embargo on commencement of APC campaigns in Ogun, Peoples Gazette learnt.

“Consequently, the Ogun State Chapter of the Party hereby directs that all candidates wait for further directives with respect to campaign  flag-off activities,” the statement signed by the state party chairman Yemi Sanusi read in parts, a directive believed to be targeted at scuttling Mr Daniel’s October 2 flag-off senatorial campaign. 

A member of the state party executive, however, told The Gazette under anonymity that the memo did not emanate from the chairman as he had earlier on Saturday called some state executives to join his entourage to Mr Daniel’s event in Sagamu. The source confirmed that the Saturday night release has already sparked a cold war between the governor’s henchmen and the state chairman.

Mr Sanusi could not be reached for comments.

A spokesperson for Mr Daniel confirmed that the governor and the state party structure had been duly informed and mobilised for the flag off.

Three top APC officials told The Gazette that members have grown agitated in the recent weeks over the governor’s reluctance to set up the state’s national campaign council many days after INEC officially opened campaigns for the 2023 elections. Mr Abiodun has been appointed the state’s coordinator for the presidential campaign by the national body.

The party operatives agree that the governor’s embargo on political campaigns has further strained the palpable relationship between Messrs Abiodun and Daniel, who commands large followership across Ogun, especially Ogun East where he hails from.