The Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reiterated that the suspension of Senator Gbenga Daniel, representing Ogun East and a former governor of the state, remains in force, declaring any interactions with him as a party member “invalid and of no effect.”

In a strongly worded letter dated October 3, 2025, addressed to the APC National Chairman, the state executive cited Daniel’s “continued public disregard for party discipline” despite his suspension on August 19, 2025, over alleged anti-party activities. The letter, jointly signed by State Chairman Yemi Sanusi and State Secretary Tella Aderibigbe, was made public on Thursday through a statement by Lekan Adeniran, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Citing Article 21, subsection (vii) of the APC Constitution, the party stressed that suspended members lose all privileges, including voting rights, attendance at meetings, and participation in party activities, until the suspension is lifted. “A member suspended pending investigation is expressly barred from participating in the proceedings of any party organ,” the statement noted.

The APC urged government institutions, political actors, and the public to disregard Daniel in any official party capacity. “Any and all dealings with Otunba Olugbenga Daniel in the capacity of a bona fide member of the APC are invalid, unrecognized, and of no effect to the party,” it stated, reaffirming the chapter’s commitment to “internal discipline, order, and adherence to constitutional guidelines.”

The suspension, which also affected Daniel’s political associate Kunle Folarin, arose from claims of anti-party conduct. The party insisted the decision was formally communicated to Daniel, stripping him of membership rights automatically under the constitution.

In response, Steve Oliyide, media aide to Senator Daniel, dismissed the reaffirmation as a “fabricated script” aimed at sidelining his principal ahead of the 2027 Ogun East Senate ticket race. Oliyide alleged that the move was orchestrated by “individuals afraid of Daniel’s rising political profile and his relationship with President Bola Tinubu,” rather than legitimate party organs.

He questioned the authenticity of the suspension process, claiming it was executed by “an unknown Ward 4 executive in Sagamu Local Government—a ward where Senator Daniel is not registered.” Daniel is registered in Ward 12 (Isote), Sagamu, where leaders and members have petitioned state and national executives, protesting the “purported suspension” by the incorrect ward.

“Leaders and some members of Ward 4 also wrote a protest disclaiming knowledge of any such suspension before someone just went on Facebook to announce it,” Oliyide said. He further claimed that Daniel has never received an official suspension letter, labeling the October 3 correspondence as “existing only in the realm of conjecture.”

Oliyide also raised procedural concerns about the public statement, noting: “The statement was not signed by anybody. Our investigation revealed that it was being circulated by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor. When has the CPS to the Governor become the spokesperson for the party? These are questions journalists should ask.”

He demanded proof, including copies of the suspension letter and national correspondence, pointing to inconsistencies such as references to an ongoing investigation despite earlier claims of a concluded probe. “The media should also request to see a copy of the letter of suspension duly signed and acknowledged since they claimed the so-called ‘suspension’ was formally communicated to him,” Oliyide urged.

According to him, state executive members resisted pressure and threats to issue the statement, prompting the “perpetrators” to leverage “government machinery and operatives” for the task. He described the episode as part of an “ongoing script, crafted purposely to frustrate Otunba Daniel out of the APC so as to have a solo run for the Senate ticket.”

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