Ogun APC ward exco dares NWC, says Daniel remains suspended 

The Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ward 4 in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State, has insisted that Senator Gbenga Daniel remains suspended from the party, despite the National Working Committee (NWC) declaring that the former Ogun State Governor is still a bona fide member.

This reaffirmation came amid controversy surrounding Daniel’s purported suspension, with the NWC directing the Ogun State APC chapter to cease further correspondence on the matter pending a thorough investigation by the party’s national leadership.

Addressing journalists at the Ward Secretariat in Sabo, Sagamu, Ward Secretary Hon. Oluwole Aduroja said the decision to suspend Daniel followed due process after he repeatedly failed to honour invitations to defend himself against allegations of anti-party activities.

Speaking on behalf of the 19-member executive committee — including the Ward Chairman, Hon. Adebayo Ismail — Aduroja said their clarification was necessary in response to a statement issued by MJS Partners, the law firm representing Senator Daniel, following the November 17 letter from the APC National Secretariat.

He explained that the ward executives unanimously agreed to suspend Daniel after he refused to appear before an investigative panel probing petitions accusing him of conduct deemed detrimental to the party.

Aduroja traced the senator’s alleged misconduct to the last general elections, claiming that Daniel worked against the interest of the APC and its candidates in Ogun State.

“Beyond the elections, he further attempted to obstruct and frustrate the course of justice during the Election Petition Tribunal sittings through actions and interventions that were directly hostile to the interest of the APC and its candidates. These and many more remain the unchallenged anti-party activities of the suspended senator,” he said.

Responding to the position of APC National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Bashiru, as contained in the November 17 letter, Aduroja argued that the party’s constitution empowers executive committees at all levels — ward, local government, state, zonal or national — to initiate disciplinary action against erring members.

He added that although Article 21(5)(vii) gives the NWC authority to suspend members, it does not invalidate the disciplinary powers of other executive bodies, nor does it place their decisions under NWC review.

“On the contrary, any disciplinary action taken by an Executive Council, including suspension, is subject only to appeal as outlined in Article 21(4). For emphasis, no provision of Article 21(4) subjects the decision to suspend the senator to the oversight of the National Working Committee,” he stated.

Aduroja reaffirmed Ward 4’s commitment to upholding discipline, fairness and due process within the APC, insisting that “the suspension of Senator Gbenga Daniel remains in full effect.”