Gbenga Daniel’s ‘suspension’ a ruse – Ogun East APC leaders

Some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun East Senatorial District described the purported suspension of the former Governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, as a “ruse” driven by internal political rivalry and the struggle for the district’s 2027 senatorial ticket. Daily Trust reports that Senator Daniel and Governor Dapo […]

Some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun East Senatorial District described the purported suspension of the former Governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, as a “ruse” driven by internal political rivalry and the struggle for the district’s 2027 senatorial ticket.

Daily Trust reports that Senator Daniel and Governor Dapo Abiodun have been at odds over the 2027 senatorial ambition.

In August, the State leadership of the APC reportedly suspended Daniel alongside another party member, Kunle Folarin, over alleged anti-party activities.

Daniel’s camp fingered Abiodun as the brain behind the move.

And last week, the media was awash with reports that the state APC had affirmed Daniel’s ‘suspension’ in a statement reportedly circulated by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Abiodun, Lekan Adeniran.

According to the reports, the affirmation was contained in a letter dated October 3, which was sent to the National Chairman of the party, the correspondence said to have been signed by the State Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, and the Secretary, Hon. Tella Aderibigbe.

The party reportedly stated that the suspension “remains in full effect and warned the public against engaging with him as a member.”

Addressing newsmen on Tuesday at a press conference held at Daniel’s Asoludero Court residence in Sagamu, the APC leaders drawn from all the nine Local Government Areas in Ogun East, dismissed the purported suspension.

Speaking on their behalf, Daniel’s Media Aide, Steve Oliyide, told newsmen that despite lack of documentation, some media organisations published the suspension story without verifying it from the state or national leadership of the party.

According to him, the purported suspension order touted online by unofficial sources without any clear details of alleged offences and in a sweeping generalisation as anti-party activities without investigation negates the rule of law, breached all democratic tenets and principles.

He said, “It is also a breach to well- established rights to fair hearing and an affront to the principles of constitutional democracy anywhere in the world. In their claims, Otunba Daniel was allegedly investigated and suspended by the Excos of Ward 4 in Sagamu where he is not even registered as a member. For the records, Otunba Gbenga Daniel is a registered member of the APC in Isote Ward 12. So, how can he be suspended in a Ward where he is not even registered?”

He added that “At the moment, the camp of the Governor is holding wholesale to all the State Party Executive positions from the Ward level to the State. We think both the Party Structures/positions and elective offices could be better distributed among all the stakeholders to protect all interests across ethnic and political divides and all Stakeholders are given a sense of belonging.”

Also speaking, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Remmy Hazzan, said, “The power to suspend is in the hands of the state organ. Ward can recommend, they don’t have power of pronouncement. In this case , there is no pronouncement to the state organ to even approve of. And there is no document to show that any suspension has taken place rather than the information flying around.

“As far as we are concerned, no suspension took place. What’s going on is called troubleshooting just so that they can hang on to something.”