BATOGD Ogun political tensions escalate as group alleges security misuse and defends party processes ahead of 2027 elections

Leaders of the BATOGD Movement on Thursday raised concerns over what they described as troubling political developments in Ogun East Senatorial District, alleging misuse of state power while reaffirming support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Olamilekan Adeola ahead of the 2027 elections.

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Speaking at a press conference, the group confirmed that the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State had unanimously adopted Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its consensus presidential candidate, citing what it called his decisive leadership and ongoing efforts to steer the country towards economic recovery.

The movement also welcomed the emergence of Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as the party’s consensus gubernatorial candidate, expressing optimism that longstanding political barriers in the state could be broken.

However, BATOGD leaders voiced strong concern over recent events in the senatorial district, including what they described as a controversial endorsement of a senatorial aspirant.

According to the group, several party leaders, including Senator Gbenga Daniel, were misled into attending what was presented as a stakeholders’ caucus meeting but later appeared to be a pre-arranged political gathering.

The group alleged that some qualified party members were denied entry, while others discovered that many attendees did not meet the criteria for such a caucus meeting, raising questions about transparency and internal party processes.

Tensions escalated further, BATOGD said, following the deployment of armed police personnel to roads leading to the Ijebu Ode residence of Gbenga Daniel.

The group described the action as excessive and unjustified, noting that no security threat had been identified to warrant such a show of force.

BATOGD leaders claimed preliminary findings suggested that local government authorities may have misinformed the police, leading to the heavy security presence.

The group characterised the development as a disturbing example of executive overreach and warned that such actions risk undermining democratic norms.

The movement highlighted its ongoing Community Assessment and Review Tour across Ogun East, which it said had delivered impactful empowerment programmes, including micro-credit schemes and healthcare initiatives, without incident in several local government areas.

It also acknowledged the intervention of the Nigeria Police leadership in de-escalating the situation, while calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deployment.

Reaffirming its commitment to democratic principles, the group urged security agencies to remain neutral and resist political manipulation.

BATOGD leaders insisted that the political process must remain open, fair, and free from coercion.

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The movement concluded by announcing that its postponed engagement in Ijebu Ode would proceed as planned, with assurances that all necessary security arrangements would be formally coordinated.