Former governor and senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, was on Monday reportedly denied entry to a key senatorial meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ijebu-Ode.
The meeting, being held at Adeola Odutola Hall, Ijebu-Ode, was fixed for 11 a.m.
“This is to invite the following categories of stakeholders in our party, APC, to attend an emergency senatorial meeting scheduled to hold tomorrow, Monday,” a notice of the meeting reads.
Among those expected at the meeting are past chairmen, past and present National Assembly members, councillors, amongst others.
However, some clips circulating on social media showed how the convoy of Senator Daniel, who is currently representing the district, was being blocked from entering the venue.
Upon his arrival in a white bus branded “BAT OGD Movement,” Daniel, aka OGD, was reportedly denied entry on the orders of a local government chairman in the senatorial district.
The LG chairman allegedly said the directive to bar Daniel “came from higher authorities.”
In one of the clips, Daniel’s security men engaged some individuals at the other side of the gate to grant the senator access, but they didn’t budge.
The environment became rowdy as the federal lawmaker’s supporters insisted that he must be allowed in, while shouting his name: “OGD, OGD, OGD.”
The former governor, however, stood at the door of his vehicle to address his supporters.
“We are here for our caucus meeting, and I got here by 10 a.m. They said we shouldn’t enter the venue in Ijebu-Ode.
“Therefore, if they do anything here today without my presence, it is an exercise in futility. So, their actions will amount to self-deceit.”
Daniel’s media aide, Steve Oliyide, confirmed the development, describing the meeting as the “gathering of Governor Dapo Abiodun loyalists.”
According to him, notice of the meeting was released at midnight, and all National Assembly members were invited, including Daniel.
“What we know is that his loyalists are gathered and preventing others from gaining access.
“It’s not only OGD they bounced, as long as you are not Dapo Abiodun’s loyalist.
“They threatened Otunba Onayemi, a former local government chairman, and former chairmen also expected to be part of the caucus meeting,” Oliyide said.
The state publicity secretary of the party, Femi Nuberu, has not yet responded to enquiries from our correspondent.
Daily Trust gathered that, at the meeting, the APC leaders may endorse a consensus candidate for the senatorial district ahead of the next election.
There has been an intense battle and bitter rivalry between Daniel and Abiodun over the 2027 senatorial ticket of Ogun East.
Daniel had alleged that the governor’s political ambition was behind the persecution he had faced under Abiodun’s administration over the past two years, an allegation already denied by the government.