THE OGUN EAST SENATORIAL REALITY CHECK: OGD Won Seat IN 2023 by Landslide, Dapo Lost Same Constituency by A Lot (Including Losing his own ward)— Who Should APC Risk Against Other Parties in 2027?[Dr. Ope Banwo, The Mayor Of Fadeyi, Takes A Critical Look At 7 Reasons Why APC Must Return OGD as Senator and 7 Reasons Why Dapo Abiodun Will Be a Disaster Candidate For The Ruling Party]

Introduction

Since Governor Dapo Abiodun has pre-emptively kicked off the fight over who will represent Ogun East in the Senate come 2027 — albeit in a very crude and poor-taste manner — it is important that we begin to address this issue openly and honestly.

As a stakeholder and a proud constituent of Ogun East Senatorial District, I believe it is my duty to help draw the parallels early, so that the people of Ogun State can have the facts well before they decide what to do in the coming elections. This is not about sentiment, propaganda, or personality cults. It is about the future of Ogun East, and by extension, the destiny of Ogun State.

The question before us is clear: should Ogun East return Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD), a man of proven performance and statesmanship, or should we risk our collective future by sending Governor Dapo Abiodun to the Senate after his tenure?

Here are 7 unassailable reasons why OGD deserves to be returned to the Senate and 7 compelling reasons why Dapo Abiodun would be a disaster for Ogun East if imposed as a candidate.

🔹 7 Reasons Why Ogun East Must Return OGD as Senator

1. Top-Ranked Performing Senator in Nigeria
   Independent performance trackers rank OGD in the TOP 5 in 10 out of 12 key criteria for evaluating senators nationwide. Even more impressive, as a freshman senator, he ranks in the TOP 3 across 11 criteria for effective performance. Ogun East cannot afford to lose this hard-won national visibility.
2. Visible Legislative Impact
   OGD has sponsored bills, moved motions, and consistently placed Ogun East’s critical issues on the Senate floor — from the Sagamu–Ore and Ijebu Ode–Epe roads to energy and industrial policy interventions.
3. Champion of Ijebu State Creation
   OGD is spearheading the historic move for the creation of Ijebu State out of present Ogun State. If realized, it would double federal allocations, expand representation, and open unprecedented opportunities. Removing him now would likely derail this once-in-a-generation project.
4. Proven Governance Record
   As Governor (2003–2011), OGD transformed Ogun’s infrastructure, attracted industries, invested in education, and empowered youths. He combines executive track record with legislative effectiveness, a rare asset for Ogun East.
5. Unmatched Political Maturity and Influence
   OGD commands respect across party lines nationwide. His voice in Abuja is not ignored. He leverages his goodwill, contacts, and experience to win attention and resources for Ogun East.
6. Grassroots Accessibility and Human Capital Investment
   Through the Gateway Front Foundation and his open-door style, OGD has remained close to the people. He has invested in skills, youth empowerment, and community projects, making him a senator who serves, not hides.
7. Continuity and Legislative Stability
   Legislative seniority matters. A returning OGD would wield even greater influence in his second term, consolidating gains already made rather than starting over with a novice.

🔹 7 Reasons Why Dapo Abiodun Would Be a Disaster Candidate For Ogun East

1. Heavy Integrity Baggage
   From alleged credit-card fraud convictions in Miami, still not formally denied by the governor, to Pandora Papers revelations of offshore companies, Abiodun carries a burden of scandals that could shame Ogun East on the global stage.
2. Poor Relationship with Communities
   His governorship is marred by land grabbing controversies, demolitions, and clashes with communities in Ogun East. How can he represent people he has alienated?
3. Vindictiveness and Abuse of Power
   His demolition threats against OGD’s properties prove he uses power as a weapon of vendetta. In the Senate, such tendencies would create division, not progress.
4. Lack of Legislative Competence
   Abiodun has no experience in lawmaking or policy drafting. The Senate is not a training ground. Ogun East cannot afford a political apprentice.
5. Selfish Political Ambition
   His senatorial bid is widely seen as a personal survival strategy after his governorship, not a genuine desire to serve Ogun East. His focus will be his next ambition, not his constituents.
6. Controversial Reputation at Home and Abroad
   Beyond U.S. fraud cases, he has faced accusations of electoral manipulations, high-handedness, and offshore wealth secrecy. Ogun East deserves credibility, not controversy.
7. Weak and Forgettable Legacy as Governor
   Despite two terms, Abiodun is criticized for leaving no bold, transformational legacy compared to past governors. If he underperformed as governor with full executive power, why gamble on him as senator?

🔥 The Killer Fact Nobody Can Ignore: Dapo Abiodun Is A Proven Lightweight In Ogun East

Let us not forget one undeniable truth: when Dapo Abiodun ran for his second term as Governor, he did not win a single ward in Ogun East. Not one! The same Ogun East he now wants to represent in the Senate flatly rejected him.

He only survived that election by a razor-thin margin of just about 13,000 votes, thanks to heavy lifting and record-breaking numbers delivered by APC titans in other zones — particularly Senator YAYI in Ogun West. Without those outside lifelines, APC would have lost the governorship.

So I ask: how can a man who could not win his own ward in Ogun East, who could not carry Ogun East constituency while running for governor, suddenly become the “credible choice” to face a red-hot senatorial battle here in 2027? How is he going ot fare against top level PDP , ADC or Labor candidates?

Meanwhile, in that same election, OGD won Ogun East resoundingly, with record-breaking numbers that no one could contest. The contrast is daylight versus darkness.

If the APC even contemplates fielding Dapo Abiodun over OGD, they are playing with fire. They risk handing the senatorial seat — and with it, influence in Abuja — straight to the opposition. That would not just be political miscalculation; it would be a betrayal of the President’s party in Ogun State.

To put it bluntly, it is an abomination for APC to even toy with replacing OGD — a proven winner, a performer, and a stabilizer — with Dapo Abiodun, who has already been rejected by the people of Ogun East at the ballot.

The Big Picture

In my humble opinion., The Senate seat for Ogun East is too important to be treated as a retirement trophy for an embattled governor. It is about who can deliver respect, projects, and opportunities for our people.

On one side stands OGD — a top-performing senator, a proven governor, a grassroots leader, and the champion of Ijebu State creation.

On the other stands Dapo Abiodun — a scandal-laden governor with weak grassroots support, vindictive tendencies, and a forgettable legacy.

Conclusion

In 2027, while we wait for the other candidates to emerge from PDP OR ADC OR LABOR, the constituents in Ogun East, especially APC people, must make a choice that is really not difficult. Ogun East deserves competence, continuity, and credibility — not controversy and chaos.

In my humble opinion as a citizen of Ogun East senatorial district, this is more than a political contest. It is about the future of Ogun East. I, as a non-aligned constituent ot any party will like to see the best from all parties to come out and contest for the senatorial seat to represent me in our senatorial constituency. It would be a big shame for the ruling party if APC rolls out its weakest candidate against the top candidates to emerge from the other party….because the people of Ogun East will be electing the BEST CANDIDATE they see on the field regardless of what APC does.

Bring your best or lose with ignominy. That’s all I have to say for now.