Police stormed Former Ogun Governor Gbenga Daniel’s Ijebu-Ode residence, disrupt rally

Tension on Wednesday morning enveloped Ijebu-Ode, headquarters of Ijebu-Ode Local Government area of Ogun State, as heavily armed police operatives stormed the Obanta Club and cordoned off the residence of former governor Gbenga Daniel in GRA, disrupting a planned political gathering of his supporters.

An Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was sighted at the scene, underscoring the heavy security presence that sent panic through the neighbourhood.

Sources said that the operatives allegedly halted a scheduled BAT/OGD Community Assessment and Review rally, organised by the former governor.

The BAT/OGD; Bola Ahmed Tinubu/Otunba Gbenga Daniel Movement, is a grassroots political platform mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid in 2027, alongside Daniel’s anticipated return to the Senate.

An aide to the former governor, who currently represents Ogun East Senatorial District in the 10th Senate, alleged that security agents blocked all access routes to Daniel’s residence, effectively preventing members of the group from holding their meeting.

“Police stormed the Obanta Club area and blockaded OGD’s residence to deny access to the venue of the BAT/OGD Community Assessment and Review Tour scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 2026,” the aide stated.

The programme, convened under the Gateway Front Foundation; an initiative of Senator Daniel, has traditionally served as a platform for empowering constituents across the senatorial district.

It was gathered that no fewer than 10,000 beneficiaries were expected to benefit from the outreach. However, the heavy presence of security operatives reportedly forced organisers and participants to abandon the event.

Eyewitnesses said many supporters were left stranded and visibly distraught, as they could not gain entry to the venue due to the blockade.

The incident is the latest twist in the deepening political rift between Daniel and Governor Dapo Abiodun, both prominent figures within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Two days earlier, the crisis took a dramatic turn when Daniel was denied entry into a senatorial stakeholders’ meeting, held at Adeola Odutola Hall in Ijebu-Ode. The meeting, described as crucial for determining the party’s senatorial ticket, reportedly turned rowdy following the development.

Governor Abiodun, who is said to be eyeing the Ogun East Senate seat, was allegedly endorsed at the meeting as the APC’s consensus candidate; an outcome widely believed to have further strained relations between the two political heavyweights.