The campaign group of former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel has directed its supporters to stay away from the Ogun All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries.

In a communique issued at the end of its meeting on Sunday, the group alleged that its supporters had recently become targets of political thugs and state government agents.

The group said, “We have followed our principal to all the nooks and crannies of the Ogun East Senatorial District, empowering the people, and we are glad that the goodwill of His Excellency  Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, has been supportive in no small measure.

“However, what we have experienced in recent times is at variance with our understanding of the principles of a democratic system, where fair play is the minimum expectation. In the last few days, we have seen all manner of strange movements and miscreants taking positions and ready to strike down our people.

“We have heard and seen agents of the state government threatening fire and brimstone against our supporters, and the elections yesterday is a confirmation of our worst fears. We do not believe, in good conscience, that we should subject our people to unnecessary danger and mayhem. On this note, we have advised our Principal, His Excellency, Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel, to distance himself from the senatorial party primary elections.”

Mr Daniel, the lawmaker who represents Ogun East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, had earlier declared his intention to seek a second term in office. 

However, APC stakeholders in Ogun East reportedly endorsed Governor Dapo Abiodun for the 2027 senatorial race and allegedly barred Mr Daniel from attending the meeting. 

Since declaring his intention, the former governor has been embroiled in a fierce political struggle with Mr Abiodun, who is also contesting the same senatorial seat. 

On April 20, 2026, Mr Daniel was denied entry into an APC Ogun East senatorial district caucus meeting held in Ijebu-Ode. 

Security operatives at the venue reportedly blocked his convoy and ordered him to step out of his vehicle for verification, but he refused. 

The incident sparked anger among his supporters and further heightened tensions between him and Mr Abiodun over the district’s 2027 senatorial ticket.

Both men were once allies, with Mr Daniel backing Mr Abiodun’s successful 2019 governorship bid, but their relationship later deteriorated. 

The governor was subsequently accused of deploying state machinery against his predecessor. 

Mr Abiodun reportedly views sidelining Mr Daniel within the party as the most certain path to securing the senatorial ticket. 

Recall that in August 2025, the Ogun State chapter of the APC suspended Mr Daniel over alleged anti-party activities alongside his loyalist, Kunle Folarin.

Nuberu Olufemi, Ogun APC spokesperson, said the suspension of Messrs Daniel and Folarin, both members of the party in Ward 4 and Ward 6 in the Sagamu Local Government Area, respectively, was decided at a state working committee meeting chaired by the chairman, Yemi Sanusi.

However, the APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, overturned the decision, saying the national working committee had not taken a position on the state chapter’s action. 

Mr Basiru added that “Senator Otunba Olugbenga Daniel remains a bona fide member of the party.”

Earlier signs of tension between the two politicians emerged on September 10, 2023, when the state government was said to have demolished the five-storey DATKEM Plaza on Folagbade Street in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, reportedly owned by Mr Daniel’s wife, Olufunke.

The mall was pulled down within three days of the demolition notice, a development confirmed at the time by project manager and developer, Olusegun Lawal.

There were also heated exchanges over the state government’s plan to demolish Mr Daniel’s Sagamu residence and luxury hotel.