Gbenga Daniel’s suspension: Ogun All Progressives Congress Ward rejects national leadership’s intervention

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The Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ward 4, Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State, has declared that the suspension of the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Gbenga Daniel, remains in effect.

The committee made this declaration at a press conference held on Thursday at the Ward Secretariat in Sabo, Sagamu, saying the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party cannot issue any directive to review, nullify, set aside, or reverse the valid suspension earlier imposed on Daniel by the appropriate party organs in Ogun State.

It would be recalled that the National leadership of APC, in a letter dated November 17, 2025 and addressed to the party chairman in Ogun State, directed the state chapter to halt further action on the purported suspension of Senator Daniel, pending a formal review by the party’s NWC.

The letter, signed by the National Secretary of the Party, Senator Surajudeen Basiru, the National Secretariat expressed concern over the recent notice of suspension issued against the senator, noting that the party had been inundated with reports on the development.

The letter clarified that the NWC had not yet deliberated on the issue as required under Articles 21.3(d and e) of the APC constitution, emphasising that due process must be followed before any disciplinary action can stand.

“Consequently, the Ogun State leadership of the party has been instructed to allow the NWC to investigate the matter and reach an informed decision before issuing further public statements,” the letter read.

The National Secretary stressed that, “until then, Sen. Otunba Olugbenga Daniel remains a bona fide member of the party,” reaffirming the senator’s standing within the APC.

Addressing newsmen at the media briefing, the APC Ward 4, Sagamu local government, the Party Secretary, Durojaiye Oluwole, dismissed the press release issued by MJS Partners on behalf of Senator Daniel, regarding a letter from the National Secretariat of the party dated 17 November 2025.

Durojaiye said, “While it is not the intention of the ward to publicly engage non-members on issues concerning the party, it is considered imperative to clarify and restate the issues in contention.

He said the communication made to NWC by the State Chapter was in relation to the suspension of Senator Daniel, adding that the decision to suspend him was itself taken and communicated to the State Executive by the Ward Executive, to allow for a thorough investigation of allegations made against the senator, which pertained to anti-party activities. This, he said, was after the senator failed to honour invitations extended to him to appear to defend the allegations.

The statement added that contrary to the assertion of Sen. Bashiru, the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against a party member is, to use the exact words of the Party Constitution, the exclusive preserve of the “Executive Committee Concerned” which depending on the allegations made, may be any of the Executive Councils at the Ward, Local Government, State, Zonal or National levels.

It added that “whilst Article 21(5)(vii) of the Constitution also grants the National Working Committee the power to suspend erring members, that power does not in itself abrogate that of the Executive Councils, nor does it subject their decisions at any level to the review of the National Working Committee.”

Durojaye added, “On the contrary, the exercise by any Executive Council of its disciplinary power, inclusive of the power of suspension such as that made in relation to Senator Gbenga Daniel, is subject only to appeal as outlined in Article 21.4.

“Again, at the risk of repetition and for the purpose of emphasis, no provision of Article 21(4) subjects the decision to suspend the Senator to the overview of the National Working Committee.

“Consequent upon the foregoing, the directive contained in the letter of the National Secretary is misplaced and has no foundation in the Party’s Constitution.

“The NWC cannot issue any directive to review, nullify, set aside, or reverse the valid suspension earlier imposed on Senator Otunba Olugbenga Daniel by the appropriate Party organs in Ogun State.

“While it may be conceded that Senator Otunba Olugbenga Daniel is yet to be expelled from the party, the fact of suspension, which remains unchallenged in accordance with the Party Constitution, brings a temporary halt to his rights, privileges and obligations in the party.

“This entire episode originated from the last general elections, when Senator Otunba Olugbenga Daniel acted in open defiance of the Party and engaged in actions inimical to the interest of the party and its candidates in Ogun State.

“Beyond the elections, he further attempted to obstruct and frustrate the course of justice during the Election Petitions Tribunal sittings by actions and interventions that were directly hostile to the interests of the APC and its candidates. These and many more are the unchallenged anti-party activities of the suspended senator.

“We therefore reaffirm that the suspension of Senator Otunba Olugbenga Daniel remains in full effect.”

The statement said that the leadership of Ward 4 remained committed to upholding discipline, fairness, and due process within the party.

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