The Inside Story Of Their ABEOKUTA Meeting

City People Daily digital edition
July 19, 2026 (Vol 04 No 305)

All those who attended the burial Service of Princess Sabainah Ibironke Opawole (née Osoba), the mother of Senator Gbenga Daniel’s wife last Friday 17th July, 2026 at the Ibara Baptist Church Ibara, Abeokuta were pleasantly surprised when Gov. Dapo Abiodun walked in with his entourage during the service.

This is because he was not formally invited and so, provisions were not made for Protocol. It was when the Governor arrived that some of OGD’s aides rushed inside to tell the Ogun East Senator that the governor was around, and quick provision had to be made for him to seat in front.

Why the Governor’s attendance surprised many was the fact that OGD and Gov. Abiodun have always not been on good terms. They have not been on talking terms for the past 7 years. Save for a few times when they had met at public funerals, both had not been close. Ironically, both of them and Senator Ibikunle Amosun had been political associates since early 2000.

Yet, all attempts to end the rift, engineered by traditional rulers and elders, have failed, as OGD has repeatedly stated that he has no issues with the Governor. When the governor was ushered into the service both OGD & Gov. Abiodun embraced themselves and held on to each other for seconds.

During the course of the event, Gov. Dapo Abiodun noted that although OGD didn’t invite him formally to the burial service, he still decided to attend because of the love and respect he has for all the families involved.

OGD in his Vote of Thanks apologised to Gov. Dapo & other eminent Nigerians who were not invited. He said it was because of the short notice. He said the family didn’t have enough time to plan appropriately for the burial.

It wasn’t the governor alone that was at the event. Senator Yayi, the Ogun APC governorship candidate and Hon. Ladi Adebutu the Ogun PDP guber candidate was also in attendance. That was why at the burial service. Otunba Gbenga Daniel said that only God knows the next governor of the state.

He said, “While the service was ongoing he noticed that the Pastors were a bit apprehensive because of our people who were shouting and singing, but I told them that there is nothing to be worried about.”

“Something tells me that by the time we come back here, sometimes next year, about this time, somebody in this room would have become the governor of Ogun State. I don’t know who the person is, but God knows who is going to be the next governor.”

“But I can assure you that in Ogun State, this is how we play the game. There’s no violence. As a matter of fact, the Pastors should be praying that they should be coming to church, so that you can pray for them and they can be like you. So, men of God, please don’t get unnecessarily worried.”

Daniel later called on Gov Abiodun to lead Adebutu and Yayi to the dancing floor to establish that there is no love lost between the 2 politicians, while also saying that the two governorship candidates despite being members of different political parties belong to one big political family in the state.

The political atmosphere changed when Adebutu was invited to pay tribute to the deceased. His supporters began chanting, “Say Lado for 2027” and “Ogun for Ogun,” in apparent endorsement of his governorship ambition.

The chants were, however, countered by supporters of Adeola, who responded with solidarity songs in support of the senator’s governorship aspiration ahead of the 2027 election.

The development prompted Daniel to intervene, urging supporters of both politicians to refrain from turning the church service into a political gathering.

Addressing the congregation, the former governor said, “We are here to pay our last respects to my mother-in-law. This is not the appropriate place for political campaigns or slogans.”

He appealed to the supporters to respect the solemnity of the occasion and allow the service to continue peacefully.

Speaking earlier, Obasanjo described the deceased as woman of uncommon grace, faith and service whose legacy would continue to inspire generations

He said that “Mama was truly a woman in a million. Her life was a stellar example of devotion, grace and selfless community service.

“As a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she built a lasting legacy of love and unity within the family. Her kind nature made her deeply loved by everyone who crossed her path.”

Governor Abiodun also described the deceased as an accomplished entrepreneur, disciplined leader and devout Christian whose virtues were reflected in her children.

The governor noted that one of the tributes described Mrs Opawole as “a woman of valour, virtue and an icon,” adding that she remained committed to God throughout her lifetime.

“Mama took great joy in reading the Bible and could recite many portions from memory even until her very last days,” Abiodun said.

He added, “Like they say, the fruit does not fall far from the tree. Our former First Lady exemplifies all the virtues of Mama.”

Former Ogun Governor Ibikunle Amosun, represented by his wife, Chief Mrs Olufunso Amosun, also described the late matriarch as a devoted Christian whose impact transcended her immediate family.

Amosun said, “Mama’s life was defined by steadfast dedication to her family, God and humanity.

“She will be remembered for raising children whose accomplishments and contributions to society reflect the quality of her nurturing guidance and values.”

In his remark at the burial service, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, urged members of the family to preserve the values handed down by the late matriarch.

Addressing Yeye Olufunke Daniel, he said, “Please continue Mama’s legacy. She has bequeathed that to you and your family. We must continue the legacy of goodness our Parents bestow on us.”

Similarly, Senator Yayi, described the deceased as a woman whose exemplary life was evident in the achievements and character of her children.

“If there is no testimony that we can share, we can always see that Yeye Olufunke Daniel is a good and typical example that Mama lived a very good life,” he said.

Delivering the sermon titled, The Alpha and the Omega, the Vice-President (Ministerial) of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev. John Eyinnaya, urged Christians to recognise God’s sovereignty throughout every stage of life.

Preaching from Revelation 1:8, Eyinnaya said, “God is the Alpha and the Omega of our lives. He is the beginning, the end and everything in between.”

“My message is simple: God is more involved in your life than you think. He is more involved than you acknowledge and more involved than you sometimes recognise,” he said.

The cleric urged believers to cultivate reverence for God and make Him central to their decisions.