Ogun APC suspends Gbenga Daniel over alleged anti-party activities

The Ogun state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended Gbenga Daniel, former governor of the state, over alleged anti-party activities.

Daniel, who represents Ogun east at the senate, was suspended alongside Kunle Folarin, one of his loyalists.

Nuberu Olufemi, spokesperson of Ogun APC, said in a statement that the party’s state working committee (SWC) ratified the suspensions on Tuesday after recommendations from their wards in Sagamu LGA.

Olufemi said a disciplinary committee was set up by ward 4 in Sagamu to investigate Daniel over “alleged misconduct bordering on anti-party activities committed” by the senator.

According to him, Daniel was invited to appear before the committee to defend the allegations but failed to do so.

He added that Folarin also failed to appear before the disciplinary committee set up by APC ward 6 in Sagamu.

“They wrote to the members under investigation, inviting them to the disciplinary meetings at which they were to be heard and allowed to present evidence in their defense or request pardon from the party,” the statement reads.

“However, both members failed to respond to the invitations extended to them in writing, failed to provide a written defense, and failed to attend the disciplinary meetings at which they were to be given the opportunity to defend themselves.

“In view of their deliberate and unexplained absences, the committees deliberated as scheduled, heard from the available witnesses, considered the available documentary evidence, and deliberated on the allegations.

“In addition to the above, the committees received notice that the members under investigation had been harassing party members and warning members against cooperating with the committees.

“The members under investigation had been using their statuses within the party to pressure party members to withdraw the petitions against them.

“In view of this development, the committees resolved to protect the integrity of the disciplinary process and to eliminate interference by the members under investigation.

“Upon due consideration, the committees suspended the members indefinitely, pending further investigation and the outcome of the committees’ inquiry.

“The suspensions were based on the members’ failure to cooperate with the investigation and their attempts to pressure party members to withdraw petitions against them.

“The SWC has ratified the suspensions. The meeting demonstrates the party’s commitment to maintaining discipline and upholding its constitution.”

There have been speculations of a rift between Daniel and Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun.

The state government’s decision to mark a hotel and residence linked to the senator for demolition has further fuelled reports of the fallout.