The Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ward 4, Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State, has insisted that the suspension of Senator Gbenga Daniel, representing Ogun East, remains valid and in effect.
The position was contained in a statement jointly signed on Wednesday by the Ward Chairman, Adebayo Ismail, and Secretary, Durojaiye Oluwole.
The ward leadership dismissed a press release issued by the APC National Secretariat dated November 17, 2025, stating that the National Working Committee (NWC) lacked the constitutional power to nullify or reverse Daniel’s suspension.
According to the statement, the APC Constitution does not empower the NWC to interfere with disciplinary actions properly initiated and executed by lower party organs.
“Based on the APC Constitution, the National Working Committee cannot issue any directive to review, nullify, set aside, or reverse the valid suspension earlier imposed on Daniel by the appropriate party organs in Ogun State,” the statement read.
The ward explained that the suspension was triggered by allegations of anti-party activities levelled against the senator.
It noted that the decision was formally communicated to the State Executive Committee for further action, as required by party procedures.
The statement revealed that Daniel failed to honour multiple invitations to defend himself before the ward executives.
According to the ward leaders, the process followed due procedure and complied fully with the APC Constitution.
The Ward 4 leadership dismissed the assertion by APC National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Bashiru, who had suggested that disciplinary proceedings must originate from higher party structures.
“Contrary to the assertion of the All Progressives Congress National Secretary, Sen. Surajudeen Bashiru contained, the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against a party member is, to use the exact words of the Party Constitution, the exclusive preserve of the “Executive Committee Concerned” which depending on the allegations made, may be any of the Executive Councils at the Ward, Local Government, State, Zonal or National levels.” the statement said.
The ward stressed that while Article 21(5)(vii) of the APC Constitution grants the NWC the authority to suspend members, that power does not override or invalidate the powers of Ward, LGA, State or Zonal executives to discipline erring members.
The ward noted, “That power does not in itself abrogate that of the Executive Councils, nor does it subject their decisions at any level to the review of the National Working Committee.”
The statement reads, “On the contrary, the exercise by any Executive Council of its disciplinary power, inclusive of the power of suspension such as that made in relation to Senator Gbenga Daniel, is subject only to appeal as outlined in Article 21.4.
“Again, at the risk of repetition and for the purpose of emphasis, no provision of Article 21(4) subjects the decision to suspend the Senator to the overview of the National Working Committee.
“Consequent upon the foregoing, the directive contained in the letter of the National Secretary is misplaced and has no foundation in the Party’s Constitution.
“The National Working Committee cannot issue any directive to review, nullify, set aside, or reverse the valid suspension earlier imposed on Senator Otunba Olugbenga Daniel by the appropriate Party organs in Ogun State.
“While it may be conceded that Senator Otunba Olugbenga Daniel is yet to be expelled from the party, the fact of suspension, which remains unchallenged in accordance with the Party Constitution, brings a temporary halt to his rights, privileges and obligations in the party.
“This entire episode originated from the last general elections, when Senator Otunba Olugbenga Daniel acted in open defiance of the Party and engaged in actions inimical to the interest of the party and its candidates in Ogun State.
“Beyond the elections, he further attempted to obstruct and frustrate the course of justice during the Election Petitions Tribunal sittings by actions and interventions that were directly hostile to the interests of the APC and its candidates. These and many more are the unchallenged anti-party activities of the suspended senator.
“We therefore reaffirm that the suspension of Senator Otunba Olugbenga Daniel remains in full effect.”
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