Ogun APC and Senator Gbenga Daniel Clash Over Suspension Decision
The Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has justified its decision to indefinitely suspend former governor and incumbent senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, insisting that the action was taken strictly in accordance with party procedures.
In a statement released on Thursday, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Olufemi Nuberu, explained that Daniel’s suspension followed findings that he allegedly engaged in anti-party activities during the August Remo Federal Constituency by-election. Nuberu stressed that the disciplinary process aligned with the party’s constitution and noted that the time allowed for appeal had already expired.
According to him, “The party’s position remains unchanged. The appeal window, as stated in our constitution, has closed. If Daniel’s supporters choose to complain, that is their personal choice—they are free to continue doing so on social media.”
His reaction followed a press briefing held on Tuesday at Daniel’s Asoludero residence in Sagamu GRA, where some APC leaders from Ogun East condemned the senator’s suspension.
Prominent chieftains at the briefing—including Gen. Olumuyiwa Okunowo (rtd.), Dr. Niyi Osoba, Otunba Korede Okusanya, Princess Ronke Oduneye, Aremo Babatunde Adesanya, Mrs. Josephine Makanjuola, and Dr. Bankole Osisanya—described the suspension as unfounded and politically driven.
They were joined by several others such as Kolade Segun-Okeowo, Alhaji Jamiu Olododo, Akogun Kola Onadipe, former Deputy Speaker Remmy Hassan, Hon. Wole Olubena, Arc. Abiodun Adesanya, Mr. Dele Osifade, and Alhaja Ganiyat Busari.
The group alleged that the move was part of a wider strategy by Governor Dapo Abiodun to weaken Daniel’s influence ahead of the 2027 APC senatorial primaries in Ogun East. They also demanded to know why the senator had not been officially issued a suspension letter, apart from the press release circulated to journalists.
They further accused the party leadership of inconsistencies, pointing out that while Daniel is registered under Isote Ward 12 in Sagamu, the suspension letter referenced him as a member of Ward 4.
Speaking for the group, Daniel’s media aide, Steve Oliyide, expressed shock that the governor’s spokesperson, Lekan Adeniran, was issuing statements on behalf of the APC.
He insisted the entire controversy was tied to the political calculations ahead of 2027, especially the contest for the Ogun East senatorial ticket.
Oliyide dismissed the allegations of anti-party activities, stating that Daniel actively campaigned for the APC during the Remo by-election and also made financial contributions to the campaign despite being sidelined. He added that tension between the governor and Daniel began in 2022 when the former governor signaled interest in the senatorial race.
He also recalled that Daniel, though in the PDP at the time, mobilised support for Abiodun during the 2019 governorship election—a move he said contributed significantly to the governor’s narrow victory margin of just 19,000 votes.
Oliyide described Daniel’s suspension as a clear violation of due process and democratic principles, questioning how the Ward 4 executives could suspend someone who is not even registered under their ward.
He also alleged that some party officials had been compromised through oath-taking rituals in local shrines, raising concerns about integrity in future party primaries.
The group called on President Bola Tinubu and the APC national leadership to intervene, restructure the party’s state executive, and address what they described as the overwhelming control of the structure by the governor’s loyalists.
Meanwhile, Nuberu dismissed the entire press conference as “a charade”, claiming that those presented as APC leaders were merely coordinators of Daniel’s Gateway Front Foundation and not genuine party officials.
According to him, “Those posing as APC leaders are his foundation workers—people he brought from the PDP. Not a single ward or LG chairman was listed.”
He accused Daniel of repeatedly disregarding party rules and insisted that no individual could place themselves above the APC that gave them the platform to contest in 2023.
Nuberu maintained that the senator’s suspension followed all required procedures, noting that it was ratified by the State Working Committee after receiving reports from the ward and local government executives.
He concluded that the party’s stance remains unchanged and that if Daniel’s loyalists wish to “continue lamenting,” they are free to do so online.
