Ogun: Senator Daniel's Suspension — APC Ward Executives React

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Ward 4, Sabo, Sagamu, has stated that the Senator from Ogun East in the National Assembly, Otunba Gben...

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Ward 4, Sabo, Sagamu, has stated that the Senator from Ogun East in the National Assembly, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, is still on hold following the instruction given by the party's national leadership.

Remember that the National Secretary of the party, Dr. Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, in a letter dated November 17th, stated that Daniel was still considered a legitimate member of the party until the investigation into the claimed anti-party actions against the former governor was completed.

The Secretary of APC Ward 4, Aduroja Oluwole, stated that the National Working Committee (NWC) did not have the authority to reverse the ward executives' decision, as outlined in the party's constitution.

Aduroja, accompanied by the Ward Chairman, Adebayo Ismail, and fellow party members, made the statement during a press conference held at the Ward Secretariat on Thursday in Sagamu.

He stated that the ward suspended Daniel following his failure to attend the ward executive meeting to address the accusations.

The Secretary of the Ward mentioned that the committee's decision was properly conveyed to the State Executive.

He, however, pointed out that although the NWC also has the constitutional right to suspend a wayward member, this power does not supersede the authority of party executives at the ward, local government, state, or zonal levels to enforce disciplinary measures.

Aduroja further stated that the NWC lacks the authority to examine disciplinary measures implemented by party officials at the ward and zonal levels.

Although Article 21(5)(vii) of the Constitution allows the National Working Committee to suspend wayward members, this authority does not override that of the Executive Councils, nor does it make their decisions at any level subject to review by the National Working Committee.

Conversely, the act of any Executive Council exercising its disciplinary authority, including the power to suspend, as seen in the case of Senator Gbenga Daniel, is solely subject to an appeal process described in Article 21.4.

Once more, despite the possibility of repeating myself and in order to highlight the point, no part of Article 21(4) makes the decision to suspend the Senator dependent on the review by the National Working Committee.

Due to the above, the instruction mentioned in the letter from the National Secretary is incorrect and lacks support from the Party's Constitution.

The NWC is unable to issue any instruction to review, invalidate, overturn, or rescind the legitimate suspension previously imposed on Senator Otunba Olugbenga Daniel by the relevant Party bodies in Ogun State.

"Although it may be acknowledged that Senator Otunba Olugbenga Daniel has not yet been removed from the party, the suspension, which is still valid under the party's rules, temporarily stops his rights, benefits, and responsibilities within the party," he stated.

Aduroja stated that, in addition to the elections, Daniel is alleged to have interfered and hindered the administration of justice during the sessions of the Election Petitions Tribunal by engaging in actions and interventions that were directly against the interests of the APC and its candidates.

The ward added: “These, along with numerous others, are the unopposed anti-party actions carried out by the suspended senator.”

Thus, we confirm that the suspension of Senator Otunba Olugbenga Daniel is still fully in place. We are dedicated to maintaining discipline, equity, and proper procedures within our esteemed Party.

The representative of Otunba Daniel, Steve Oliyide, stated that the claimed suspension is likely linked to Governor Dapo Abiodun's supposed intention to run for the Ogun East senatorial seat currently held by his superior in the legislative body.

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He added, 'To address this challenge, there is no doubt, and let no one be misled, that this is all linked to the politics of 2027 and particularly the APC candidate for the Ogun East senatorial district.'

He characterized Daniel's suspension as a violation of proper procedure and equitable treatment.

"It undermines the rule of law and violates democratic values. Daniel was reportedly suspended by the executive of Ward 4 in Sagamu, even though he is a registered member of Isote Ward 12. How can he be suspended in a ward where he isn't even registered?" he asked.

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