Former senatorial candidate and Ogun East governor, Gbenga Daniel, has issued an open challenge to Governor Dapo Abiodun for a live television debate to settle the battle for the Ogun East senatorial ticket ahead of the 2027 elections. Daniel challenged the incumbent on the grounds that the governor has not been endorsed with a consensus, and claimed that certain party leaders have been politically improper in their decisions.
Former governor and senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel , has challenged Governor Dapo Abiodun to a live television debate over the battle for the Ogun East senatorial ticket ahead of the 2027 elections .
Daniel threw the challenge during an interview on TVC's Beyond The Headlines on Thursday, where he rejected claims that Abiodun had emerged as the consensus candidate for the senatorial seat. According to the senator, what took place was merely an endorsement and not a consensus, and he insisted that all aspirants must agree before a candidate can be regarded as a consensus choice.
The former governor confirmed that he had already obtained nomination forms and completed screening for the APC primaries, signalling his determination to contest despite pressure from party stakeholders. Daniel also alleged that he was excluded from a key APC caucus meeting where Abiodun was endorsed, describing the development as politically improper considering his position as the incumbent senator.
The senator further accused some party leaders of crossing political boundaries and warned that certain decisions being taken around the governor could hurt his administration. In a direct challenge to the governor, Daniel called for a face-to-face televised debate where both politicians would publicly defend their records and positions before Nigerians.
"This is an open invitation. And between you and I, if you don't do that, my assumption is that he ran away. It's an open challenge.
" Daniel also alleged that some party members were pressured into supporting the governor's endorsement due to the influence of incumbency and prevailing economic hardship. According to him, several individuals who publicly backed Abiodun had privately expressed reservations about the process. The senator further raised concerns over the credibility of the APC primary process in Ogun State, alleging that officials expected to remain neutral had already taken sides.
He called on the party's national leadership to ensure a transparent and fair primary election to avoid deepening divisions within the APC ahead of the 2027 polls. There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Daniel, however, stated that he would withdraw from the race if President Bola Tinubu personally directed him to do so in the interest of party unity.allAfrica.com ).
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Gbenga Daniel Dapo Abiodun Live Debate 2027 Elections Ogun East Senatorial Ticket APC Primaries Incumbent Senator Political Boundaries Credibility Of APC Primary Process Pressure From Party Stakeholders Voting Support Party Leaders
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