Ogun East Senator, Gbenga Daniel has publicly challenged Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun to a live, face-to-face television debate over growing political tensions ahead of the 2027 elections.
Daniel made the challenge on Thursday during an interview on TVC’s Beyond The Headlines, insisting that the governor must appear on national television to address issues he has raised, warning that any refusal would be interpreted as an admission of defeat.
The former governor, who led Ogun State between 2003 and 2011, said the debate should be arranged without delay and urged the programme hosts to ensure both politicians are paired for a direct confrontation.
According to him, public silence from Abiodun on the issues would carry more weight than any official response, as the disagreement between both leaders continues to escalate.
The exchange reflects rising political tension within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, particularly over the Ogun East senatorial seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Party stakeholders in the district had earlier endorsed Abiodun as a consensus candidate for the Senate seat, a move Daniel has rejected, calling instead for open primaries and alleging manipulation in the selection process.
During the interview, Daniel further criticised the governor, suggesting his time in office was nearing its end and accusing him of crossing political boundaries he considered unacceptable.
He also claimed the governor had disregarded established political norms and warned that such actions would have consequences within party ranks.
As of the time of reporting, neither Governor Abiodun nor the Ogun State Government had issued an official response to the challenge.
Abiodun is currently serving his second term and is ineligible for re-election, making the Ogun East Senate seat a key focus of his anticipated political future.
Daniel, who currently represents Ogun East in the Senate, described the situation as a betrayal, alleging that he played a role in Abiodun’s rise to power.
