The Ogun State Government said on Monday that former governor and current senator for Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, was suspended from the APC because he refused to support Governor Dapo Abiodun’s re-election in 2023.
Daniel and Hon. Kunle Folarin were suspended by the party for alleged anti-party activities. The APC asked them to appear before its disciplinary committee before their suspension could be lifted.
However, the APC National Working Committee later wrote to the State Chairman, saying Daniel is still a valid member of the party.
Speaking on Sunday at the Midterm Community Assessment and Review Tour of BATOGD in Ijebu North, Daniel said he was suspended because the governor “cannot tolerate inclusive governance.” He also said he was ready to face the disciplinary panel.
Responding to his claims, the governor’s media aide, Kayode Akinmade, insisted that Daniel was suspended because he supported the PDP governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, instead of Governor Abiodun during the 2023 election.
Akinmade added that instead of apologising or facing the panel, Daniel had been using the PDP to fight the APC even though he won his Senate seat on the APC platform.
He also accused Daniel of using issues like demolition notices and stop-work orders on his constituency projects to attack the government, instead of writing to the proper agencies to resolve them. He said Daniel was acting like he was above the law.
Akinmade explained that other senators—like Senator Yayi of Ogun West and Senator Shuaib Salisu of Ogun Central—followed proper procedures before carrying out their constituency projects, and Daniel should do the same.
He stated:
- “Daniel is using the PDP to fight the APC.”
- “He did not support Governor Abiodun in 2023; he worked for Adebutu.”
- “His time to appear before the disciplinary panel has expired.”
He added that Daniel’s complaints about his constituency projects were due to his refusal to follow due process.
Akinmade also clarified that it was the APC in Daniel’s ward that suspended him, not the state government, and the suspension was later approved by the State Working Committee. He said Daniel ignored several invitations to defend himself.
According to him, Daniel is now attacking the state government instead of addressing his issues with the party.
Akinmade accused Daniel of acting as if he were still governor and expecting everyone to obey him. He said the government only asked him to follow the rules for his federally funded projects, just as other lawmakers do.
He added that Daniel was the only former governor constantly causing trouble in the state and always playing the victim when asked to take responsibility.
Akinmade concluded:
- Daniel cannot be bigger than the party.
- He should settle his issues with the APC if he has integrity.
- The government will not continue responding to his “tantrum
