The All Progressives Congress in Ward 4, Sabo, Sagamu, on Thursday, insisted that the indefinite suspension of former governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, for alleged anti-party activities remains in full force.

The party also argued that the National Working Committee lacks the authority to overturn the suspension, which was imposed by the ward executives in accordance with the party’s constitution.

The Secretary of Ward 4, Aduroja Oluwole, supported by the ward chairman, Adebayo Ismail, and other party members, stated this at a press briefing held at the ward secretariat in Sabo, Sagamu, reacting to the quashing of Daniel’s purported suspension.

Aduroja explained that the suspension was imposed by the Ward 4 executive committee and communicated to the State Executive following Daniel’s alleged refusal to honour invitations to defend himself before the investigation panel.

He added that while the NWC has the power to suspend members, the party constitution does not allow it to override disciplinary actions taken by executives at the ward, local government, state, or zonal levels.

He said, “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.

“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.”

Oluwole added, “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.”

According to Aduroja, the party’s grievances with Daniel stemmed from the last general elections when he allegedly acted in defiance of the party and engaged in activities inimical to the interests of the APC and its candidates. He also accused Daniel of attempting to obstruct justice during the Election Petition Tribunal sittings.

The party stated, “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. We remain committed to upholding discipline, fairness, and due process within our great Party.”

Daniel’s spokesperson, Steve Oliyide, repeatedly denied the allegations, describing the suspension as politically motivated by Governor Dapo Abiodun to block Daniel from contesting the 2027 Ogun East senatorial seat.

He said, “To answer this challenge, we have no doubt, and let no one be deceived, that this is all connected to the politics of 2027 and especially the APC ticket for the Ogun East senatorial district.”

Oliyide also claimed that Daniel actively supported the APC during the Remo by-election and contributed financially to the campaign despite being sidelined by the state leadership. He alleged that Abiodun’s hostility began when Daniel indicated interest in the senatorial race in 2022.

He recalled that Daniel, then a PDP member in the 2019 elections, mobilised support for Abiodun’s governorship bid, contributing to his victory with a margin of just 19,000 votes.

Oliyide described the suspension as “an affront to due process and fair hearing,” questioning the legality of a suspension by Ward 4 when Daniel is registered in Isote Ward 12. “How can he be suspended in a ward where he is not even registered?” he queried. (The PUNCH)