The 2027 general election is poised to be different from previous elections in many ways. From the anticipation of forlorn and pessimistic citizens to the desperation and impunity of politicians who have already started campaigning a year and a half before the elections. 2027 politics is heating up with a frenzied and charged atmosphere across the country. No less so in Ogun aka “The gateway state”
Ogun State is a unique state. It serves as access to many other states and has the highest number of industries in the country, giving it a commercial and economic edge over most states. Its proximity to Lagos means it enjoys certain privileges and benefits that other states of the Federation don’t. However, the governance of such a critical state comes with challenges peculiar to its politics. The battle for control of the power and resources of the state is vicious and virulent as politicians in the state indulge in all manner of compromise, horse-trading and other shady deals to clinch power.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the cutthroat power struggle and political intrigues that exemplify the politics of the state, especially in the build-up to a general election, have begun earnestly. For some time now, two political heavyweights have been having a go at each other. Nothing frontal or overly confrontational. It’s a cold war that is fought through the multiple layers of government functionaries, sycophantic aides and scathing press releases. Unlike the previous power struggle which happened between politicians of different parties, this current lurch and move to consolidate power is happening between two political gladiators in the same party: Governor Dapo Abiodun and Senator Gbenga Daniel.
The running battle between the Governor and the Senator
The governor and the senator became estranged and their relationship turned sour shortly before the 2023 presidential election. In the build-up to the 2023 some traditional rulers in Ogun State led by the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr) Sikiru Adetona, were said to have approached Governor Abiodun and prevailed on him to support the senatorial bid of Gbenga Daniel by persuading the then incumbent senator, Lekan Mustapha, to relinquish the ticket to Daniel.
Party officials with knowledge of the matter disclosed that no sooner had Daniel clinched the ticket than he severed ties with Abiodun and turned against the governor. According to them, Abiodun’s sudden combative and adversarial energy towards the governor was spurred by his plot to prevent the governor from winning his re-election battle, stopping Abiodun from securing a second term would put him in a vantage position to secure the Ogun East re-election ticket in 2027, since he and the governor are from the same senatorial district.
To actualise his goal, the senator allegedly struck a deal with the camp of the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state, Kessington Adebutu, following his victory at the senatorial election.
The anti-party activities allegations and suspension
The political standoff reached its peak during the House of Representatives by-elections in the state. The senator, who was a former governor of the state, was said to have intentionally boycotted the by-election campaign of the party even when the National Chairman of the party, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, visited the state to lead the campaign.
He was said to have directed his supporters to vote in the Saturday, August 17, election like they did “last time,” a reference to the March 18, 2023, governorship election during which he mobilised his supporters to vote for PDP’s gubernatorial candidate, Adebutu, after he struck a deal with him.
His actions were said to have infuriated the leadership of the party, who felt the senator was backstabbing and sabotaging the party by working against it after enjoying rare privileges since joining the party.
The leadership was also aghast by the allegation that Daniel and his side began threatening the leadership of Ward 4 after an invitation was extended to him to respond to the claims against him.
Following the allegations of anti-party activities, the senator was suspended by the leadership of Ward 4, Sagamu Local Government Area. The suspension was ratified by the State Working Committee (SWC), last week, at a meeting presided over by the chairman of the party in the state, Chief Yemi Sanusi.
Sources privy to the imbroglio disclosed that Governor Abiodun masterminded the suspension of the senator.
Building code violation and alleged impending demolition
As the Cold War rages on, in August, Daniel’s properties, Asoludero Court residence, Conference Hotel Limited, and its annexe were served notices of Contravention, Quit and threats of demolition by the state government over building code violations. Daniel claimed the move was politically motivated and that the governor was persecuting him because of their running battle. According to him, the Dapo Abiodun-led government was engaging in “political persecution” by threatening to demolish buildings constructed between 2004 and 2015 under a 2022 planning law that did not exist when they were built. However, the state government debunked Daniel’s claim, the notices were part of a routine urban renewal and development audit in Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode Government Reserved Areas, which affects several other property owners. The government asked him to submit the appropriate documents, like every other person, as he is not bigger than the State.
The court stepped in
In August, an Ogun State High Court, sitting in the Sagamu area of the State, barred the State government from taking any action that could lead to the loss of the property belonging to a former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel. The court issued an interim order restraining the State government and its agents from demolishing or tampering with the former governor’s property.
Final analysis
No one knows everything that is going on in the inner circle of top politicians in Ogun State but one obvious thing is that all is not well between the senator and the governor. Nigerian politicians, especially incumbent governors, can be ruthless and unforgiving when dealing with political opponents whom they consider a threat and an obstacle to their goals and ambitions. If Daniel claimed that the notices served on his property amounted to political persecution, the question to then ask is what use is the demolition of the senator’s property to the governor?
While it is important not to underestimate the pettiness and small-mindedness of Nigerian politicians, it is hard to see why the governor will resort to demolishing Daniel’s property when such a move will likely backfire and shift public sympathy towards the senator and make the governor a villain. The governor is in control of the APC structure in Ogun State and will definitely get the APC Ogun East senatorial ticket if he decides to head to the red chamber if he so wishes.
If the notices served on the properties of Daniel are a genuine routine effort by the Ogun State government to audit its properties and Government Reserved Areas, then the government must be allowed to perform its statutory responsibility.
Daniel knew he was in for a big fight for his political survival the moment he worked against the re-election of Governor Dapo but failed to achieve his objective. The senator will likely defect to another party, likely the PDP, to contest the senatorial election in 2027 following his suspension from the APC. Even if the governor decides not to go to the senate after his tenure as governor, he will likely secure the APC senatorial ticket for his preferred ticket whom he would work with to defeat Daniel.
Like they say, 24 hours is a long time in politics, and with some eighteen months to the 2027 election, a lot can happen and things can change, but until then, the simmering tension, silent mutual animosity and cold war between the Governor and the Senator will continue.
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