Former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel has challenged Governor Dapo Abiodun to a live television debate over issues surrounding the Ogun East Senatorial seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mr Daniel made the challenge on Thursday during an interview on TVC’s Beyond The Headlines.
The senator representing Ogun East said Governor Abiodun’s refusal to appear for the debate would be seen as an admission of defeat.
“This is an open invitation. And between you and I, if you don’t do that, my assumption is that he ran away. It’s an open challenge,” he said.
The disagreement between the two members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has continued since party stakeholders in Ogun East endorsed Abiodun as the consensus candidate for the senatorial seat in April.
Daniel rejected the endorsement and called for open primaries, alleging manipulation in the process.
During the interview, the former governor also warned Abiodun against actions he said went against political conduct.
“Your Excellency, you are now going to be a former governor very soon,” Daniel said.
“There are certain lines you don’t cross in this business.”
Daniel also spoke about the airport project in Ogun State, saying groundwork for the project was done during his administration.
According to him, his government handled environmental assessments, land acquisition, stakeholder engagement and licensing before Abiodun’s administration awarded the contract for construction.
“He came to say he doesn’t know what to do and I said this is the licence, you pick it and award the contract,” he said.
Abiodun is serving his second term as governor and cannot seek re-election in 2027.
Neither the governor’s media office nor the Ogun State Government House had responded publicly to Gbenga Daniel’s comments as of the time of filing this report.
