The Progressives Youth Wing of the Ogun APC has accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of a “grand design” to set President Bola Tinubu against former Governor Gbenga Daniel by painting him as unreliable. The group vowed that this “false narrative will collapse under the weight of history,” contrasting Daniel’s pro-democracy record with what they claim is Abiodun’s past association with “anti-democratic forces.”
In a statement released in Abeokuta on Sunday, the youth group accused Governor Abiodun of masterminding a series of targeted actions against Daniel. These alleged actions include threats to demolish his residence and hotel, a purported plot to suspend him from the party, and the dissemination of revisionist narratives designed to damage his reputation.
According to the statement, these moves are part of a calculated agenda to frustrate Daniel into leaving the APC. The ultimate goal, the group claims, is to ensure Governor Abiodun faces no opposition for the Ogun East senatorial ticket in the next election.
The statement elaborated on the alleged strategy:
“The grand design is simple: to set President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against OGD by painting him as unreliable. But this false narrative will collapse under the weight of history.” The Youth Wing contrasted Daniel’s history as a “key financier of NADECO” during the military dictatorship with claims that Abiodun was “hobnobbing with anti-democratic forces” during the same period.
The group further asserted that Governor Abiodun’s primary concern is the long-standing, cordial relationship between Daniel and President Tinubu—a bond built over four decades—which he fears could threaten his senatorial ambitions.
The statement called on the governor to focus on governance, saying, “Rather than dissipating energy on crude power games, Governor Abiodun should channel the over ₦1 trillion budget of Ogun State towards meaningful development.”
The Youth Wing also issued a warning, claiming to possess intelligence that Governor Abiodun is sponsoring protests and plotting malicious attacks, including arson, on Daniel’s properties. It urged security agencies to be on alert, stating, “Ogun State cannot afford a descent into political violence instigated by one man’s desperation.”
Reaffirming its loyalty to the APC and President Tinubu, the Progressives Youth Wing pledged to resist any attempt to isolate or malign Daniel, whom it described as “a founding pillar, a democrat, and a statesman” of the party. The group concluded by urging Governor Abiodun to retrace his steps and focus on governance.
