Ogun APC Ward Insists on Daniel‘s โSuspension, Cites Constitutional Authority
The suspension of Senator Gbenga Daniel by Ward 4 of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State remains in effect,โค according to ward leadership, despite assertions from โคthe National Working Committee (NWC) recognizing โฃhim as a bonaโค fide party member. At a press briefing held Thursday at the โฃward secretariat in Sabo, Sagamu,โ officials argued the NWC lacks the power toโ overturn the suspension, whichโ was enacted by the ward executivesโ inโฃ accordance with the APC constitution.
Aduroja Oluwole, Secretary of Ward 4, flanked by Ward Chairman โadebayo ismail and โขother party officials, explained โคthat while โฃArticle 21(5)(vii) of the APC constitution grants the NWC the authority to suspend members, it does notโฃ supersede the disciplinary powersโ of executives โat โward, local government, state, or zonal levels. Oluwole emphasized that disciplinary actions, including suspension, are onyl subject toโค appeal as outlined in Article 21.4,โ and are not subject โto review by the NWC.
The ward leadershipโค dismissed a โdirective from the National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, as โ”misplaced and โคwithout any foundationโข in the party’s constitution,” asserting the NWC cannot nullify the suspension imposed by Ogunโ State party organs. While acknowledging โฃDaniel โhas not been expelled, theyโ maintained theโ suspension temporarily โhalts his rights, privileges, and obligations within the party.
The suspension stems โfrom allegations of anti-party activities during the last general โelections, including actions that undermined the APC and โฃits candidates, as well asโ alleged attempts to obstructโ justice during election petition tribunal sittings. The ward leadership stated these actions justified the continuation of theโค suspension.
Senator Daniel, through his spokesperson Steve Oliyide, โhas consistently denied these allegations, characterizing the suspension as politically motivated and aimed at preventing him from contesting the Ogun East senatorial ticket in โ2027. โขOliyide โฃalleges Governor Dapo Abiodun’s hostility โขbegan after Daniel expressed interest in the senatorial race in 2022. Heโค further pointed out โฃDaniel’s โsupport forโข Abiodun’s 2019 gubernatorial โฃbid while a member of the Peoples Democraticโค Party (PDP), claiming Daniel’s mobilizationโ of support contributed โto Abiodun’s narrow 19,000-vote victory.
Oliyide also โquestioned the validity of the suspension, noting Daniel isโ registered in Isote Ward 12, not Ward 4, and argued the suspension represents an affront to due process and fair hearing.
The dispute highlights a growing tension between the โAPC’sโ ward executives and โคthe NWC regarding the scope of authority in disciplinary matters, with both sides โciting โขthe party constitution to supportโค their positions. โThisโ disagreement underscores the complex interplay of โขparty rules and internal politics as the APC prepares โขfor future elections.