Governor Dapo Abiodun has officially emerged as the All Progressives Congress candidate for the Ogun East Senatorial District.
He was declared the winner on Monday following a party primary that was ultimately left without a major challenger.
The victory came after a dramatic turn of events on Sunday. The incumbent Senator, Gbenga Daniel, abruptly withdrew from the race. In a statement issued on Sunday by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu–Otunba Gbenga Daniel (BATOGD) Movement, Daniel cited credible threats to the lives of his supporters. He directed his campaign organization to boycott the exercise entirely.
“In the last few days we have seen all manners 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,” the statement reads in part.
Daniel’s political structure issued a statement advising supporters to stay away from the polls. It cited the presence of miscreants taking positions and alleged that state government agents had been threatening violence.
“On this note, we have advised our Principal, His Excellency, Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel, to distance himself from the senatorial party primary elections.
“We also hereby advise our supporters to stay away from the venues of the senatorial party primary election of Monday, May 18, 2026, for their own safety,” the statement added.
With Abiodun now holding the APC ticket, questions remain regarding party unity following the contentious primary.
