The Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Ward 4 in Sagamu, Ogun State, says the suspension of Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel from the party remains valid and unchanged.
In a statement jointly signed on Wednesday, November 19, by Adebayo Ismail, Chairman of APC Ward 4 in Sagamu Local Government, and the Secretary, Durojaiye Oluwole, the ward leadership insisted that the decision taken against Daniel was firmly rooted in the party’s constitution.
According to the statement, “based on the APC’s Constitution, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party 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 for alleged anti party activities.”
It dismissed a press release issued by the APC National Secretariat on November 17, saying it was important to clarify the situation for public understanding, even though the ward generally avoids responding to non-members.
The statement explained that the suspension originated from Ward 4 and was later communicated to the Ogun State Executive Committee after Senator Daniel allegedly failed to honour invitations to defend accusations of anti-party conduct.
It added, “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.”
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The ward leaders argued that while Article 21(5)(vii) empowers the NWC to suspend erring members, the constitution does not grant the national body authority to override disciplinary actions taken by executive councils at any level.
They continued, “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.”
The committee therefore maintained that “the directive contained in the letter of the National Secretary is misplaced and has no foundation in the Party’s Constitution.”
They stressed that although Senator Daniel has not been expelled, his suspension remains active, which “brings a temporary halt to his rights, privileges and obligations in the party.”
The ward accused Daniel of working against the party during the last general elections, alleging that he “acted in open defiance of the Party and engaged in actions inimical to the interest of the party and its candidates in Ogun State.”
It added that he also “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.”
“We therefore reaffirm that the suspension of Senator Otunba Olugbenga Daniel remains in full effect,” the statement concluded, adding that Ward 4 leaders remain committed to discipline, fairness, and due process within the APC.