The media team of former Ogun State Governor and senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD), has dismissed reports of his suspension from the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the claim — circulated via Facebook — as baseless, politically motivated, and procedurally invalid.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday at Asoludero Court, Sagamu, Daniel’s media aide, Steve Oliyide, said it was “neither ethical nor logical” for any party officer to announce the suspension of a serving senator and former governor through a social media post.
“It is improper to take a Facebook post seriously when there has been no official letter, no allegation, and no invitation to any disciplinary panel,” Oliyide said. “Without verification from the authentic leadership of the party at the state or national level, such claims should be disregarded.”
He noted that the power to suspend a member rests solely with the state chairman or secretary of the APC, neither of whom had issued any formal communication to that effect.
Oliyide also faulted an alleged statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, describing it as an “unsigned and misleading document” intended to validate a non-existent suspension order.
“This drama began in August 2025 with a Facebook post from someone who, for the first time, introduced himself as the Director of Publicity of the APC in Ogun State. What happened to the state chairman and secretary of the party?” he asked.
According to Oliyide, the controversy was politically engineered ahead of the 2027 Ogun East Senatorial race, insisting that Daniel had done nothing to warrant disciplinary action.
“Let no one be deceived — this is all tied to 2027 politics,” he said.
Drawing parallels with the 2019 general elections, Oliyide recalled that when then-Governor Ibikunle Amosun defected to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), it was Otunba Daniel, then in the PDP, who — at the instance of APC national leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu — mobilized key supporters, including traditional rulers, to back Prince Dapo Abiodun and the APC.
“Prince Dapo Abiodun himself visited Otunba Daniel at Asoludero Court. Daniel publicly endorsed him and mobilized massive support for his victory. Despite that, the governor won by only 19,000 votes — the lowest margin in Ogun’s history,” Oliyide said.
He emphasized that the APC’s success in 2019 came primarily from Ogun East, where Daniel’s political base delivered the crucial votes, while the party lost in both Ogun Central and Ogun West senatorial districts.
The press briefing was attended by prominent APC stakeholders from Ogun East, including Gen. Olumuyiwa Okunowo (rtd.), Akogun Kola Onadeko, Prof. Yemi Oke, Rt. Hon. Remmy Hassan, Aare Kolade Segun Okeowo, Dr. Niyi Osoba, Akogun Jamiu Alabi, Prince Akin Onalaja, Otunba Femi Davies, Hon. Opabiyi Samuel, Hon. Wale Adedayo, Engr. Aregbe Habeeb, Hon. Yekini Adesanya, Mrs. Josephine Makanjuola, Dr. Banky Osisanya, and Hon. Taiwo Soniyi, among others.
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