The OGD Media Office says it has received multiple requests to react to claims reportedly made by the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, at a private meeting in Iperu.
The governor was reported to have claimed that he assisted Daniel political career in 2003 and 2023 elections
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abeokuta, the office noted that the governor chose a closed-door forum to advance allegations he had not made publicly, adding that such claims could not be readily scrutinised.
The statement addressed two key assertions attributed to Abiodun: that he supported and collapsed his political structure for the emergence of Otunba Gbenga Daniel as governor in 2003, and that he played a decisive role in Daniel’s election as senator for Ogun East in 2023.
On the 2003 governorship race, the media office confirmed that Abiodun contested the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries between 2001 and 2003, in which Daniel emerged as the party’s candidate.
It stated that Daniel won the primaries held on Dec. 23, 2002, with 127 votes against 12, in a process widely described as free and fair.
According to the statement, Daniel subsequently reconciled with other aspirants under a “No Victor, No Vanquished” approach, although Abiodun reportedly joined the process later than others.
It added that Daniel later appointed Abiodun as pioneer chairman of the Gateway Oil and Gas Committee during his administration.
The office also recalled that Abiodun lost the 2015 Ogun East senatorial election to the PDP candidate, questioning the strength of his political structure at the time.
On the 2019 governorship election, the statement said Daniel, then a PDP leader, supported Abiodun despite internal crises within both the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC), and publicly endorsed him.
Regarding the 2023 senatorial election, the media office maintained that Daniel’s victory was based on his personal political influence, record in office, and popular support.
It described claims that Abiodun facilitated the emergence as “false” and “an affront to the electorate.”
The statement further noted that Daniel conducted extensive campaigns across all wards and local government areas in Ogun East, while alleging that the governor did not attend any of the campaign events.
Questioning the governor’s claims of political support, the office asked what structure was transferred to Daniel, citing alleged poor performance of the APC in certain areas during the 2023 elections.
It emphasised that Daniel’s senatorial victory was decisive and uncontested, with no petitions filed at the election tribunal.
The statement also alleged that attempts were made to undermine Daniel within the party, but said these efforts were unsuccessful due to his political base.
It concluded that Daniel’s mandate was secured through the electoral process and did not depend on external endorsement, urging the governor to address public concerns rather than attribute criticism to political opponents.
