There was drama in Ogun State on Monday as former governor and serving senator, Gbenga Daniel, said he was denied access to a stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ijebu Ode.
The meeting, which brought together party leaders and members from Ogun East Senatorial District, was held at the Adeola Odutola Hall. It was described as an important gathering ahead of future political activities in the state.
However, Daniel, who currently represents Ogun East in the Senate, claimed he was prevented from entering the venue despite being a key stakeholder in the party.
In a video that quickly went viral, the former governor was seen addressing supporters from a white campaign bus branded with the OGD/PBAT Movement. In the clip, which lasted about one minute, Daniel expressed surprise over the situation.
“We are here for our Ogun East APC caucus meeting, but surprisingly, we have been barred. We are told that we can’t enter,” he said.
He went further to question the legitimacy of decisions taken at the meeting, insisting that his exclusion could affect the outcome.
“Let it be said that whatever they do here today is null and void,” he added.
The incident has raised concerns about internal disagreements within the APC in Ogun State, especially in the Ogun East axis, where Daniel remains a strong political figure.
According to party sources, invitations were sent out for what was described as an emergency stakeholders’ meeting. Those expected to attend included deputy governors, past and present local government chairmen, councillors, and members of both the state and National Assembly.
As a serving senator and former governor, Daniel would normally be considered a key participant in such a meeting. His reported exclusion has therefore sparked questions about possible divisions within the party.
Gbenga Daniel served as governor of Ogun State from 2003 to 2011 and remains an influential figure in the state’s politics. Over the years, he has maintained a strong support base, particularly in Ogun East.
The APC, on the other hand, is Nigeria’s ruling party at the national level and has a significant presence in Ogun State. Like many political parties in the country, it has experienced internal disagreements at various times, often linked to leadership struggles and control of party structures.
While details of what led to Daniel’s exclusion remain unclear, the situation highlights the challenges of managing diverse interests within a large political party.
Some party members who spoke informally expressed concern that such incidents could weaken unity within the party if not properly addressed. They called for dialogue among leaders to resolve any differences and maintain stability.
Others, however, suggested that the issue might be linked to ongoing political realignments, though no official statement has been released by the party leadership at the time of filing this report.
Efforts to get a response from local APC officials in Ijebu Ode were not successful, leaving many questions unanswered about who ordered the restriction and why it was enforced.
Meanwhile, supporters of Daniel who gathered outside the venue appeared calm but concerned. Some of them said they were disappointed by the development, noting that the former governor has played a major role in the growth of the party in the area.
The video of the incident has continued to circulate widely on social media, drawing reactions from political observers and the public. Many have called for clarity from the party leadership to prevent further speculation.
In Nigeria’s political space, such disputes are often resolved through internal negotiations or interventions by higher party authorities. However, if not handled carefully, they can escalate and affect party cohesion.
As the situation develops, attention will be on how the APC in Ogun State responds to the controversy and whether steps will be taken to address the concerns raised by Daniel.