The governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has said that he was advised against supporting the former governor of the state and the senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, to go to the Senate in 2023 general election because of the concerns that the ex-governor might eventually turn against him.

Abiodun in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, reportedly stated this while receiving some members of Daniel’s political family and the late Senator Buruji Kashamu political group into the mainstream of the All Progressives Congress in Abeokuta.

The governor was said to have described the decision of the loyalists to return to the mainstream of the party as a significant step towards strengthening the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Abiodun who was said to revisited the political developments of 2023, during the meeting revealed that he was advised against supporting Daniel’s emergence as the APC senatorial candidate because of concerns that the former governor might eventually go against him.

The governor was quoted as saying, “Despite the warnings, I supported Daniel because of my respect for him as a former governor and my belief that political disagreements should not diminish the respect accorded former occupants of the office.

“I just decided that we should honour him because one day, I will also become a former governor.”

The governor further recalled an occasion at which, according to him, Daniel expressed uncertainty over who would emerge as the next governor of Ogun State despite one of the contestants being a member of his political party.

“Now the gloves are off. He is the same person that we heard in an audio saying he had taken someone to court,” Abiodun added.

The governor also expressed concern over the recent relaunch of the foundation of Daniel where the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, was a special guest of honour.

Abiodun said the development appeared to suggest that the former governor had chosen to operate outside the mainstream of the APC, despite his status as a respected political figure in Ogun State.

He noted that his relationship with Daniel had always been guided by respect for the office of governor and the responsibilities that come with being a former governor.

“You know OGD is my leader because he was governor before me. I joined Ogun State politics way before him. Without a doubt, I was a senator-elect in the state in 1996/1997,” Abiodun said.

The governor recalled his political journey, including his emergence as a senator-elect, saying his experiences had taught him that political influence and power were privileges from God that must be exercised responsibly.

“You don’t begin to act as if you are God. You don’t begin to play as if you are an emperor. God gives us power and looks at how we use it. If you utilise it very well, God will leave it with you for a long time to continue to wield it. If you abuse it, God will take it away from you and give it to somebody else,” he said.

Receiving the groups at a meeting held at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta, Abiodun commended their decision to align with the APC and work together for the success of the party and its candidates across Ogun East Senatorial District.

He said political actors who share common interests should be able to speak with one voice, particularly in an election year, rather than dissipate their energy working for different political parties.

Reacting, the Media aide to Daniel, Steve Oliyide, however said that there was never a relunch of any foundation but a reunion of the old and new members of Gateway Front Foundation founded by the former governor to plan for its 25th anniversary.

Oliyide said, “There was no ‘relaunch’of the Foundation yet, but a reunion of old and new members of the Gateway Front Foundation to plan for its 25th Anniversary. I am not sure if there was ever any need for a Special Guest of Honour at such an event.

“Hon. Ladi Adebutu is also an old member of the Foundation, except the writer is asking that an old member of over 20 years should be excused from an event in which he played a significant role simply because of his political ambition to please some other people.”

In an earlier statement, the media office of the former governor had equally distanced the senator from the purported circulating audio describing it as a manipulated and doctored material deliberately fabricated to mislead the public and malign Daniel.

The statement reads, “The OGD Media Office has been inundated with enquiries regarding a purportedly leaked private conversation allegedly involving His Excellency, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, and a respected elder statesman.

“For the records, this Office became aware of the existence of the audio over six weeks ago, following attempts by its purveyors to deploy the maliciously doctored recording as an instrument of political blackmail, coercion, intimidation, and other criminal ends.

“The audio in circulation is a manipulated and deliberately doctored material, calculated to mislead the public, malign the reputation of His Excellency, and advance a premeditated political agenda.

“Accordingly, the appropriate law enforcement agencies have been formally invited to investigate the source of the recording, those responsible for its manipulation and dissemination, and the criminal motives behind its circulation.

“In addition, our legal team has been instructed to pursue all available civil and criminal remedies against every individual or group connected with this orchestrated campaign of calumny, defamation, malicious falsehood, and cybercrime.This shenanigans must stop in our body politics.”

It will be recalled that the political relationship between Gov Abiodun and the senator had been strained particularly with reference to 2027 Senate ticket for Ogun East.

While Daniel who currently occupies the seat is interested in seeking for another term, the governor who will be finishing his second term next year May also desire to be the next senator representing Ogun East.

The ruling party later adopted Abiodun as its 2027 consensus candidate and he was subsequently announced as winner of the party’s primary for the senatorial seat.