Ogun East Senator, Gbenga Daniel, has promised to only contest in primary elections that are free, fair and credible.
Speaking to Vanguard through his media aide, Steve Oliyide, the lawmaker stated that he would not condone any process whose outcome appeared predetermined.
He was reacting to the alleged imposition of consensus aspirants by some All Progressives Congress (APC
He said that democracy must be safeguarded from practices that would corrode the integrity of party primaries.
“Any electoral exercise, which outcome seems predetermined, will fail the test of credibility and fairness,” he said.
“Democratic contests must be genuine so that party members are free to choose their preferred candidates without any external interference.
Daniel observed that the way the House of Representatives primaries were conducted would be a litmus test for the credibility of the whole process.
He called on party leaders to hold transparent primaries that would build confidence among members and the general public.
Meanwhile, Daniel has boasted that he would thrash Governor Dapo Abiodun in the forthcoming senatorial primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of 2027 general election.
The senator representing Ogun East spoke on Tuesday at an empowerment programme organised by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu–Otunba Gbenga Daniel (BATOGD) Movement in Ijebu-Ode.
He insisted that he was still the favorite of party members and residents of the district.
“Without any doubt, in a free and fair primary, I will not only win, I will win overwhelmingly,” Daniel declared.
“Go to town and ask the folks. Ask them things. You’re here, on your way out, go to the people, ask questions about who is on the ground.”
He claimed some forces in the party were plotting to intimidate members and to deprive them of participating in the primary election.
“What the governor and others depend on is they’re going to use violence and scare people from coming out to vote. And that’s why I’m telling our people they should not be deterred; they should come out and vote,” he said.
The rivalry between Daniel and Abiodun has intensified in recent weeks after a meeting of APC stakeholders in Ogun East, where the governor was reportedly endorsed as the consensus candidate for the senatorial seat of the district.
It was gathered that Daniel was barred from entering the venue of the meeting held in Ijebu-Ode.
He said: “The Ogun State Government has frustrated the developmental projects I had been facilitating in Ogun East.
“The biggest obstacle we have in going ahead with that project is my brother and our governor. And I don’t see why it should be like this,” he said
He also criticised the state government over the district’s infrastructure and healthcare issues.
The ex-governor asked why the government had allegedly failed to improve medical staffing and public health facilities.
“Why has the government been unable to get international staff? “We’re going to need more doctors and nurses,” he added.
Daniel used the large number of people who turned out for the BATOGD event as proof that he had support from ordinary people.
“The call for this meeting was sent out two days ago. “The people are here they are trying to stop it again.
“So, how do you think the party can advance without considering the position and expressions of the masses of people that you see here?” he said.
