Stakeholders from the Ogun East senatorial district have dismissed the purported suspension of Senator Gbenga Daniel, saying that the ex-governor remains a bona fide member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, registered in Ward 12, not Ward 4 as earlier stated by the state government.
Speaking against the backdrop of the purported suspension and other developments, media aide to Daniel, Steve Oliyide, disclosed that the purported suspension order was touted online by unofficial sources without any clear details of alleged offences, and in a sweeping generalisation as anti-party activities. He said this negates the rule of law, breaches all democratic tenets and principles.
He stated that the action is also a breach of the well-established right to a fair hearing and an affront to the principles of constitutional democracy anywhere in the world.
He added that 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 said.
“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?
“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. We, therefore, need to have a little background of the development and the strength of the APC since 2019.”
He called on the party leadership at the national level to investigate how and why the President could have lost in the polling unit where the Governor voted and in the political ward of the Governor during the 2023 presidential elections.
He added, “The administration of our party would be better managed when all stakeholders are mobilised in unity to complement one another for a total and overall victory.”
On the recent Remo bye-election, Oliyide explained that when the Special Campaign Committee for the Remo Federal Constituency bye-election in July was being constituted, neither Otunba Daniel nor any of his supporters were considered in the list.
He added that the ex-governor protested to the leadership of the party in Ogun State; there was no attempt whatsoever to redress, and this appears to have been a premeditated action.
In spite of that, Senator Daniel, magnanimously, even in the face of political embarrassment, supported the party’s candidate both morally, with a public broadcast of endorsement, and financially, contributing to the campaign through the Director-General of the Campaign Committee set up by the Governor, Ogun State National Assembly (NASS) Caucus.
Also speaking at the event, former Deputy Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Remi Hassan, explained that the incumbent governor initially did not want Senator Daniel as the senator representing Ogun East, envisaging that it may be a herculean task to retrieve the candidacy in the 2027 general election.
Among those who were at the event to sign and support Senator Gbenga Daniel in leadership, purposeful engagement, and re-election come 2027 were Gen. Olumuyiwa Okunowo (Rtd), Giwa Comrade Niyi-Osoba, Otunba Korede Okusanya, Princess Ronke Oduneye, Aremo Barr. Babatunde Adesanya, as well as Mrs. Josephine Makanjuola and Dr. Bankole Osisanya, among others.
