Political tension heightened in Ogun East Senatorial District on Monday as the senator representing the district, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, was denied entry into a stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Senatorial District.
The meeting being held at Adeola Odutolu Hall in Ijebu-Ode, was attended by party leaders and stakeholders across the senatorial district who were invited via a message.
Senator Daniel, a former governor of Ogun State and a serving senator, is a statutory participant at the meeting, according to the invite which was circulated.
In a viral video clip seen by HorizonTimes, a branded bus conveying the senator was stopped at the entrance of the venue, with access allegedly blocked by the Chairman of Odogbolu local government, Babatunde Diya and a Political Adviser to governor Dapo Abiodun, Hon Biyi Adeleye.
Some party members were also seen outside the premises chanting slogans in support of the senator.
Security personnel present at the scene were observed not intervening as the situation unfolded.
When contacted, Adeleye denied that the senator was barred from attending the meeting, adding that he was only instructed not to enter the meeting with his vehicle.
He confirmed that he was consulted by the accreditation team upon the senator’s arrival and maintained that there was no restriction on his entry.
"We didn't prevent him, this venue is highly restricted because of security concern. What we have said is that people should park their vehicles outside.
"So, you are now coming with a bus filed with people who am sure are not invited for this meeting. The instruction was that 'get down from the vehicle and come inside as in individual who was invited to the meeting'.
"He refused, he insisted that he was coming in with his lorry with people who are not supposed to be in the meeting. We told him to get down from the vehicle and come inside as an individual," he said.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the meeting was convened to deliberate on key political arrangements ahead of the 2027 general elections, including the possible adoption of Governor Abiodun as a consensus candidate for the Ogun East senatorial seat, the seat being occupied by OGD.
By Adewale Adewale
