OGUN STATE – Signs are emerging that the Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, is on the verge of defecting to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) following his recent suspension from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The move comes just a week after the Ogun State chapter of the APC suspended the former governor for alleged anti-party activities. The suspension, which also included one of his loyalists, Kunle Folarin, was ratified by the State Working Committee and announced by the party’s Director of Publicity, Nuberu Olufemi.
While an official statement from Daniel is awaited, strong indicators point towards an imminent defection. A source close to the senator confirmed that he is finalising plans to join the PDP “anytime from now.”
According to a source close to the senator, his move to the PDP is imminent and could be announced “anytime from now.” The defection plans appear to be an open secret, with tangible evidence already on display.
The most visible evidence of this political shift was observed in Iperu, the hometown of the PDP’s 2023 gubernatorial candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu. Photographs obtained by our correspondent show that the official campaign office of Hon. Adebutu has now been adorned with large billboards and posters of Senator Daniel, signalling a new and open alliance between the two political figures.
This development is particularly significant as the same location was previously used to display campaign materials for the PDP candidate during the recent bye-election preparations in the Remo area.
This development seems to confirm the sentiments expressed by some APC members in Senator Ward 4 in Sagamu Local Government. When contacted, they cynically remarked that while Daniel’s “body” was in the APC, his “soul” had long departed to the PDP.
Furthermore, the senator’s apparent acceptance of his suspension without contest—interpreted by some as his non-usage of the party logo since the action—is seen as a clear indicator of his intention to jump ship.
This would mark a return to the PDP for Otunba Daniel, who governed the state on the party’s platform from 2003 to 2011 before later defecting to the APC.
Attempts to get an official comment from Senator Daniel were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report. The defection of a high-profile figure like the former governor would significantly alter the political landscape in Ogun State ahead of future elections.
Attached are photographs from the Iperu campaign office, now featuring Senator Daniel’s billboards.
