By Femi Ogbonnikan
The myth and controversy surrounding Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s loyalty to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State have been ultimately unveiled. Now, a shocking revelation by his media aide, Steve Oliyide, has shown that he actually aligned with the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Ladi Adebutu, in a deliberate move to thwart the re-election of Governor Dapo Abiodun. This open confession essentially confirms the long-running speculation and the basis for the anti-party activities charge levelled against him. It is a smoking gun that validates the long-held suspicion. By aligning with Adebutu and working against Governor Abiodun’s re-election, OGD engaged in the precise definition of anti-party activity under the APC constitution. His actions benefited the opposition and undermined his own party’s candidate. It confirms that the suspicion surrounding his loyalty were not mere propaganda but were rooted in a practical political decision he made to back his longtime ally over his new party’s candidate in the governorship race.Over the last two years, the APC has repeatedly accused OGD of not fully supporting the party during the 2023 elections, alleging his quiet support for the opposition in some areas. Having sustained the intrigues for so long, the Oliyide’s online conversation has finally revealed an inherent contradiction between the old narrative and the new reality. While his camp argues that the suspension is solely a political witch-hunt to block his 2027 Senatorial ambition, the suspension is a justifiable response to a proven anti-party activity in the 2023 election, which violated the most basic tenet of party membership.This public admission makes Senator Daniel’s legal and political fight to overturn the suspension at the National APC level significantly more difficult. With this revelation, the National Working Committee (NWC) is less likely to overturn the decision of the state leadership when there is public evidence from the accused’s own camp confirming the core disciplinary charge.In its recent release, the Ogun State Chapter of the APC restated that the suspension remained in full effect, warning that any engagements with him as a member of the party would be regarded as invalid.The party made this known in an official correspondence to the APC National Chairman, drawing attention to what it described as Daniel’s “continued public disregard for party discipline” despite his suspension.In a letter, dated October 3, 2025, and jointly signed by the State Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, and State Secretary, Hon. Tella Aderibigbe, the APC stated that Senator Daniel was suspended on August 19, 2025, and that the decision had been formally communicated to him. The party further emphasized that, under the APC Constitution, a suspended member automatically loses all privileges and rights associated with party membership.Quoting Article 21, subsection (vii) of the APC Constitution, the party stressed that a suspended member is stripped of voting rights, attendance at party meetings, and participation in party activities until the suspension is lifted.“As part of the disciplinary processes outlined in our constitution, a member suspended pending investigation is expressly barred from participating in the proceedings of any party organ,” the statement noted.The party urged government institutions, political actors, and the public to take note that Daniel cannot act or be recognized in any capacity as a member of APC while the suspension stands.The party reaffirmed its commitment to discipline, order, and adherence to constitutional guidelines.The suspension, affirmed by the Ogun State APC chapter, was the final administrative step in a series of political moves that defined the rising tension in the state.The suspension was preceded by highly public confrontations that escalated the perceived rivalry between OGD and the Governor. For instance, when the Abiodun administration recently marked properties linked to Senator Daniel, including his private residence and a luxury hotel, for demolition, for certain infractions, his camp quickly condemned it as political vendetta and an abuse of state power.In a similar reaction, his media team has accused the Governor of working in concert with the State Working Committee (SWC) to neutralize his rising political influence within the state party structure by stripping him of his rights and privileges as an APC member, including voting and participating in party organs, thereby weakening his ability to contest the 2027 primary election. The team argued that the Ward Executive that suspended him was illegitimate, illegally constituted, or did not follow the due process outlined in the APC Constitution regarding the setting up of the Disciplinary Committee or the notification process. Accordingly, they interpreted the suspension as an open struggle for supremacy and control of the Ogun East political space.The argument is simplistic. Loyalty and discipline are very critical for a political party to function effectively and achieve its goals. It ensures that all members speak and vote as a united block. This prevents internal friction and presents a strong, consistent front to the public and opposing parties. Suspension is the least severe formal sanction for anti-party activities such as the one Daniel was accused of. Other than punitive, the primary intent is to compel the member to reflect, apologize, and conform to the party line.However, Daniel’s suspension is not merely an internal party slap on the wrist; it is a strategic administrative move to enforce discipline. By its decision, the party signals its displeasure and removes his influence and access to party resources, while still leaving the door open for rehabilitation and reconciliation.Regrettably, Daniel has failed to explore the window of opportunity for reconciliation. By his refusal to appear before the party’s disciplinary committee to absolve himself of the alleged anti-party activities levelled against him, he has closed the door for any possible amicable resolution of the issue.This refusal can certainly be viewed as the nadir of his current political chapter. With the suspension, he is essentially rendered politically deaf, dumb, and blind within the party structure that brought him to the Senate. It signifies that he has been politically dismantled by the very structure that gave him the leverage to the Senate.Already, there is a feeble attempt toappeal to the National leadership of the APC, claiming the suspension was orchestrated by a wrongful ward and by individuals afraid of his relationship with President Bola Tinubu. In this scenario, his political survival hinges on whether he can get the right attention to overturn the state chapter’s decision.The APC Constitution mandates a strict appeal process for disciplinary actions, moving sequentially from the local level up to the highest party organ. The disciplinary action originated from Ward 4, Sagamu Local Government Area). So, his first official step is to challenge the decision at the next tier.But since the initial suspension was ratified by the State Working Committee (SWC), this step will be largely a formality or an effort in the futility. If his immediate focus is to get the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to intervene, as they are the only party organ with the power and political authority to override the Ogun State chapter’s decision, it will be a great miscalculation. Oliyide’s public admission of anti-party activities makes OGD’s legal and political fight to overturn the suspension at the National APC level significantly more difficult. The National Working Committee (NWC) is less likely to overturn a State Chapter’s decision when there is public evidence from the accused’s own camp confirming the core disciplinary charge.The APC Constitution generally defines anti-party activities as any action that undermines the party’s candidates or electoral chances. By supporting or canvassing for an opposition candidate, Adebutu, against the party’s official candidate Abiodun, OGD’s camp has, through the Oliyide’s statement, provided evidence that confirms the core charge. The public admission transforms the internal disciplinary process from a potential political vendetta, as his camp initially framed it, into a justifiable party disciplinary action based on verifiable electoral and circumstantial evidence, making it much harder for the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to intervene on his behalf without appearing to condone disloyalty.The context of OGD’s historical ties to the PDP and his relationship with Ladi Adebutu against his own party’s candidate, Governor Dapo Abiodun (APC), creates a classic case of intra-party conflict.The closeness of the 2023 Governorship Election results in Ogun State provides the clearest statistical justification for the APC State Chapter’s action, confirming that a split loyalty could have been decisive.The gubernatorial race was exceptionally narrow, highlighting how every single vote, and therefore every political structure was critical.However, in the worst scenario, ifSenator Daniel decides to leverage his closeness to President Tinubu to overturn the suspension slammed on him, he will sooner than later realize that no one can force a wife on an unwilling husband. While power can influence, it often cannot overcome deep-seated opposition or lack of trust within the core party structure. The formal removal might be undone, but the political isolation will remain.He may win the short-term battle, lifting the suspension, but lose the long-term war political relevance.He will likely be viewed as a member who needs external protection, rather than one who is internally accepted.His continued survival in the party will depend entirely on his powerful patron, making him vulnerable if that patronage ever wavers.The stigma of disloyalty will persist, making it difficult for him to secure key appointments or party nominations in the future.While President Tinubu can use his authority to open the door for Daniel, he cannot force the party to embrace him wholeheartedly. The APC as a disciplined organisation is typically governed by its own rules and sense of loyalty to its principles, not necessarily to the President’s personal wishes. Amidst this dilemma, party faithful are keenly watching how Daniel will navigate the complex situation he has found himself.Ogbonnikan is a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Ogun State Governor on Media
