+ Blame Governor Abiodun’s Camp for Division
+ Seek Intervention From National Body of the Party
Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun East Senatorial District have described the purported suspension of former Governor and serving Senator, Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD), as a “baseless political joke” engineered by individuals loyal to Governor Dapo Abiodun ahead of the 2027 elections.
At a World Press Conference held at the Asoludero Court, Sagamu, the leaders’ spokesperson, Mr. Steve Oliyide, dismissed claims that Senator Daniel had been suspended by Ward 4, Sagamu, stressing that Daniel is officially registered in Isote Ward 12, rendering the purported action null and void.
They condemned what they termed the “unethical and unprofessional” manner of announcing such a major party decision through a Facebook post by a self-styled publicity secretary, and later through an unsigned press statement reportedly shared by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Lekan Adeniran.
The group questioned why a government appointee would speak for the party when a duly constituted state executive committee exists.
According to Oliyide, the controversy is politically motivated and tied to the 2027 Ogun East Senatorial ticket, warning that efforts to alienate key stakeholders like Senator Daniel could further weaken the APC in Ogun State.
He recalled that Senator Daniel played a crucial role in delivering Ogun East for the APC in 2019, when Prince Dapo Abiodun narrowly won with just 19,000 votes, after OGD mobilized massive grassroots support at the request of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Despite OGD’s continued support, empowerment programmes, and statewide ward tours ahead of the 2023 elections, Oliyide noted that Governor Abiodun’s re-election performance “was even worse than in 2019,” as he lost in seven of the nine local government areas in Ogun East, including his own Ikenne Local Government Area.
He further accused the Governor’s camp of persecuting OGD’s loyalists, citing the demolition of DATKEM Plaza, owned by Senator Daniel’s wife, and the exclusion of Daniel’s supporters from key party structures and campaign committees.
The leaders called on the APC National Leadership to intervene urgently, restructure the state party to allow for fairer representation, and halt the “systematic alienation” of former Governors Gbenga Daniel.
They warned that the ongoing crisis, if unchecked, could jeopardize the APC’s unity and electoral strength ahead of future polls.
“The earlier we fix this tear in the party before it becomes a rent, the better for us all,” the statement concluded.
Notable leaders present at the conference to show solidarity with Senator Daniel included Gen. Olumuyiwa Okunowo (Rtd), Dr. Niyi Osoba, Otunba (Dr.) Korede Okusanya, Princess Ronke Oduneye, Aremo Babatunde Adesanya, and over 30 others.
Some of them responded to questions asked by the pressmen. They all endorsed the communiqué issued at the event, stating their concerns about the crisis on ground. They however pledged their continued support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, and for Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s ongoing representation of Ogun East Senatorial District.
-Jamiu Abubakar
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