Ogun APC, Gbenga Daniel’s camp trade words over alleged suspension

By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

A fresh political storm is brewing within the Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as loyalists of former governor and current senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Gbenga Daniel, and the state party leadership engage in a war of words over his alleged suspension.

Leaders and stakeholders of the APC across the nine local government areas of Ogun East Senatorial District have dismissed reports of Daniel’s purported suspension, describing it as a political charade and an affront to internal democracy within the party.

The stakeholders also accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of attempting to hijack the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at a world press conference in Sagamu, the group’s spokesperson, Steve Oliyide, said the alleged suspension first appeared in August on the personal Facebook page of an individual claiming to be the party’s Director of Publicity — a position unknown to many members.

“Is it ethical or logical to announce a suspension order on an individual’s Facebook page? There was no official communication, no allegation, no panel invitation, and no letter of suspension,” Oliyide queried.

The statement was jointly signed by Gen. Olumuyiwa Okunowo (rtd.), Giwa Comrade Niyi Osoba, Otunba (Dr.) Korede Okusanya, Princess Ronke Oduneye, Aremo Babatunde Adesanya, Mrs. Josephine Makanjuola, Dr. Bankole Osisanya, Hon. Wole Olubena, Arc. Abiodun Adesanya, Mr. Dele Osifade, Alhaja Ganiyat Busari, among others, and endorsed by over forty other APC leaders from Ogun East.

The group expressed concern that on November 5, 2025, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Lekan Adeniran, circulated an unsigned statement to media houses, restating the alleged suspension and purportedly issuing directives to the APC national leadership on who to recognise as authentic party leaders in the state.

They condemned the action as inappropriate, insisting that it was wrong for a government appointee to speak for the party when elected officers, including the state chairman and secretary are in place.

The stakeholders also challenged the APC leadership in Ward 4, Sagamu, and the state chapter to produce documentary evidence of any investigation or suspension process involving the senator.

According to them, the controversy is a political ploy aimed at sidelining Daniel ahead of the 2027 senatorial race for Ogun East, alleging that loyalists of Governor Abiodun are working to edge him out of contention.

They noted that despite Daniel’s role in mobilising grassroots support for Abiodun’s 2019 victory, the party’s electoral performance has continued to decline.

“In 2019, APC won the governorship election with a margin of 19,517 votes, largely from Ogun East, where Daniel played a key role. But by 2023, the margin dropped to 13,915 votes, with the governor losing seven out of nine local government areas — including his polling unit and ward. Yet, Senator Daniel won the Ogun East Senatorial seat with 115,147 votes, the highest ever recorded in the district,” the group stated.

They further urged the APC national leadership to probe what they described as anti-democratic tendencies within the state chapter, including allegations that some party officials were coerced into taking oaths of loyalty in shrines.

The group called for a restructuring of the party’s executive leadership at both state and ward levels to strengthen inclusivity and protect key stakeholders such as former Governors Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Our party is dear to us. The earlier we fix this tear before it becomes a rent, the better for everyone,” they concluded.

Ogun APC fires back

Meanwhile, the Ogun State chapter of the APC has accused Senator Daniel of spreading falsehood and attempting to mislead the public over his suspension.

In a statement signed by its Director of Publicity, Nuberu Adesanya Olufemi, and made available to Vanguard by the Special Adviser to the Governor, Kayode Akinmade, the party dismissed the Sagamu meeting as a “sham,” claiming that those who attended were unknown within the party’s structure.

The APC cited voter records from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirming Daniel’s registration in Ward 04, Sagamu Local Government Area, stressing that due process was followed in his suspension.

“The senator has a history of disregarding internal procedures and acting in defiance of party rules. He was credibly accused of engaging in anti-party activities, even campaigning against the APC during the last by-election in Remo Federal Constituency,” the statement read.

The party maintained that both the state and local government chapters endorsed Daniel’s suspension and forwarded their findings to the national secretariat for ratification.

It dismissed allegations that Governor Abiodun engineered the suspension to weaken Daniel’s 2027 prospects, insisting that the decision was purely procedural and ratified by the State Working Committee (SWC).

“Not a single ward chairman or local government chairman is on that fake list. Genuine APC officials were not part of Daniel’s purported gathering of Ogun East leaders,” the party said.

The APC further accused the senator of neglecting his constituents, claiming he had not attended local meetings or held constituency engagements since assuming office.

“The senator’s suspension remains valid and final. This is an internal party matter, pure and simple. The State Working Committee acted within its powers, and the appeal window has since lapsed,” the statement concluded.

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