Daniel Withdraws From Ogun APC Senatorial Primary Over Security Concerns

Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel, representing Ogun East Senatorial District, has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election scheduled for Monday, May 19, 2026, over alleged security threats and fears of attacks on his supporters.

The withdrawal followed a directive by members of his political structure under the Bola Ahmed Tinubu–Otunba Gbenga Daniel (BATOGD) Movement, who ordered him to stay away from the contest, citing concerns over the safety of delegates and supporters.

In a statement issued on Sunday evening and jointly signed by the Director-General of the BATOGD Movement, retired General Olumuyiwa Okunowo, alongside 34 other signatories across Ogun East’s nine local government areas, the group said intelligence reports and recent developments raised fears of possible violence during the primary.

The group alleged that “agents of the state government” had taken positions against the senator and were allegedly prepared to target his supporters during the exercise.

“In the last few days we have seen all manners of strange movements and miscreants taken positions and ready to strike down our people,” the statement read.

It further claimed that there had been threats directed at supporters of the senator, adding that recent political activities had confirmed their fears about possible breakdown of order during the primaries.

“We do not believe in good conscience that we should subject our people to unnecessary danger and mayhem,” the group added.

On that basis, the BATOGD Movement said it advised Senator Daniel to withdraw from the senatorial primary election and also directed supporters to stay away from the venues of the exercise for their own safety.

“We have advised our Principal, His Excellency, Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel, to distance himself from the senatorial party primary elections,” the statement said.

It also urged supporters across Ogun East to boycott the exercise scheduled for Monday.

When contacted, Daniel’s media adviser confirmed the development, stating that the senator had endorsed the position of his political structure and would not participate in the primary election as planned.

The APC had scheduled the Ogun East senatorial primary alongside other constituencies ahead of the 2027 general elections.