Ogun APC Ward Exco Challenges NWC, Insists Senator Gbenga Daniel’s Suspension Stands

The Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ward 4 in Sagamu Local Government Area, has insisted that Senator Gbenga Daniel remains suspended from the party despite the National Working Committee (NWC) clarifying that the former Ogun State governor is still a recognised member.

The latest development deepens the controversy surrounding Daniel’s suspension, even as the NWC had earlier directed the Ogun State APC chapter to halt further public comments on the issue until the national leadership concludes its investigation.

Speaking to journalists at the Ward Secretariat in Sabo, Sagamu, the Ward Secretary, Hon. Oluwole Aduroja, explained that Daniel’s suspension followed due process. According to him, the decision was taken after the senator repeatedly failed to honour invitations to defend himself against allegations of anti-party activities.

Aduroja, who addressed the press on behalf of the 19-member ward executive including the Ward Chairman, Hon. Adebayo Ismail said their clarification became necessary following a recent statement issued by MJS Partners, the law firm representing Senator Daniel, in reaction to the November 17 letter from the APC National Secretariat.

He said the ward executives unanimously endorsed Daniel’s suspension after he declined to appear before a panel investigating petitions accusing him of working against the APC’s interest during and after the last general elections. According to Aduroja, Daniel allegedly acted in ways that undermined the party and its candidates, and even attempted to obstruct proceedings at the Election Petition Tribunal through what he described as “hostile interventions.”

Responding to the position of the APC National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Bashiru, Aduroja maintained that the party’s constitution grants disciplinary powers to executive committees at all levels ward, local government, state, zonal and national. He stressed that while Article 21(5)(vii) empowers the NWC to suspend members, it does not invalidate the authority of other executive bodies to discipline erring members, nor does it subject their decisions to NWC approval.

He further clarified that disciplinary actions taken at the ward level are only subject to appeal, as stipulated in Article 21(4), adding that no section of the constitution places such decisions under the review of the NWC.

Aduroja reaffirmed the commitment of APC Ward 4 to uphold discipline, fairness and adherence to due process within the party, insisting that “the suspension of Senator Gbenga Daniel remains in full effect.”