Ogun APC Drops the Hammer: Gbenga Daniel, Loyalist Suspended for “Anti-Party” Moves
By: Oluwaseun Lawal
So, here’s what happened. Tuesday morning in Ogun State, things got a little tense. The All Progressives Congress (APC) – you know, the ruling party – decided to make a move that’s got everyone talking. They suspended Gbenga Daniel. Yes, that Gbenga Daniel. The former governor. The senator. The big name from Ogun East. And not just him. His loyalist, Kunle Folarin, got the boot too. Both of them, out. At least for now.
Why? Well, the official word is “anti-party activities.” That’s the phrase they used. But what does that even mean? Let’s rewind a bit.
It all started with whispers. Rumors, really. People in Sagamu – that’s where both Daniel and Folarin are from, Ward 4 and Ward 6 – started saying these two weren’t exactly playing by the party’s rules. Maybe they were too friendly with the opposition. Maybe they were just doing their own thing. Either way, the party wasn’t happy.
So, the APC did what parties do. They set up committees. Two of them, actually. One for each ward. The job? Investigate. Find out if the rumors were true. And if they were, decide what to do about it.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The committees sent out letters. Formal ones. Inviting Daniel and Folarin to come in, sit down, and explain themselves. Tell their side of the story. Maybe even ask for forgiveness, if that’s what they wanted. But… nothing. No response. Not a word. No written defense. No showing up at the meetings. Just silence.
People started to wonder. Why wouldn’t they show up? Was it pride? Or maybe they thought the whole thing was a setup. Who knows. But the committees didn’t wait around. They had witnesses. They had documents. They listened, they read, they talked. And then, they made a decision.
But wait, there’s more. Apparently, while all this was going on, Daniel and Folarin were accused of something else. Some party members said they were being harassed. Pressured, even. Told not to cooperate with the investigation. Told to drop their complaints. That’s a big deal in party politics. You can’t have people intimidating others just because they’re under investigation.
So, the committees decided enough was enough. They suspended both men. Indefinitely. That means, for now, they’re out of the party. No meetings. No votes. No say in what happens next. The letters went up the chain, all the way to the state chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi. He looked them over. The State Working Committee met. They talked it out. And then, they agreed. Suspension stands.
The party’s Director of Publicity, Nuberu Olufemi, put out a statement. He said the suspensions were about discipline. About protecting the party’s integrity. About making sure everyone plays by the same rules. He said the party had to act, especially when people refuse to cooperate with investigations and try to mess with the process.
It’s a big move. Gbenga Daniel isn’t just anyone. He’s a former governor. A sitting senator. He’s got supporters. He’s got influence. And now, he’s on the outside looking in. Same for Folarin. People are already asking what this means for the APC in Ogun State. Will there be more suspensions? Will Daniel fight back? Will this split the party, or make it stronger?
Nobody knows for sure. Politics in Nigeria is never boring. One thing’s clear, though: the APC in Ogun State is sending a message. Play by the rules, or face the consequences. Even if your name is Gbenga Daniel. Even if you think you’re untouchable. Because, in the end, the party comes first. Or at least, that’s what they want everyone to believe.
And so, the story continues. Ogun APC, two big names down, and everyone else watching, waiting to see what happens next.