OGUN STATE—Sources close to the Ogun State All Progressives Congress (APC) have exclusively revealed the reasons behind the suspension of Senator Gbenga Daniel, the former governor representing Ogun East in the National Assembly. His suspension, ratified last week by the State Working Committee (SWC), was the result of a series of alleged “subversive actions” against the party, stretching from the 2023 general election to the recent House of Representatives by-election in Remo.
The senator, who was suspended by the leadership of Ward 4, Sagamu Local Government Area, for deliberately shunning the by-election campaign, is said to have worked actively against the party. This was despite the presence of the national chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, who visited the state to lead the campaign.
According to a well-placed source, Senator Daniel was alleged to have sent a message to his supporters, instructing them to vote in the Saturday, August 17 election just as they did “last time.” This phrase was a direct reference to the March 18, 2023, governorship election, where he reportedly mobilised his supporters to vote for the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Kessington Adebutu, after striking a deal with him. The senator is said to have deleted the text message after the APC leadership discovered the conspiracy, but the damage was already done.
The APC leadership is reportedly furious that the senator has enjoyed “uncommon privileges” since joining the party but has consistently worked against its interests, except during his own election. The leadership was also miffed that Daniel and his allies began threatening the leadership of Ward 4 after he was invited to respond to the allegations against him.
It will be recalled that Governor Dapo Abiodun was prevailed upon by traditional rulers, led by the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Adetona, to back Daniel’s senatorial bid and persuade the then-incumbent senator, Lekan Mustapha, to concede the ticket to him.
However, immediately after securing the ticket, Daniel is said to have turned against the governor. He allegedly reasoned that if he prevented the governor from winning his re-election, it would place him in a better position to secure the Ogun East re-election ticket in 2027, as both he and the governor are from the same senatorial district.
To execute this plot, the senator reportedly entered into a deal with the Adebutu camp worth billions of naira, even after receiving mobilisation from the APC for the governorship election. An investigation revealed that Daniel received various sums, including one instance of over N350 million into his Gateway Front Foundation’s (GFF) account, domiciled with FCMB, in tranches from an associate of the gubernatorial candidate’s father. The funds were subsequently moved to the senator’s private accounts, a move that allegedly violates the laws governing foundations and charities in the country.
A member of the ruling party who spoke to newsmen at the time noted, “Amosun understood Daniel’s manner of operation and ensured that he was kept at bay for eight years, seizing his assets. That raises the question of why some politicians are so disloyal and treacherous.” The source added that many APC faithful were left wondering why Daniel “bit the finger that fed him” after Governor Abiodun moved mountains to secure his senatorial ticket. “That’s why the tag of serial betrayer seems to have stuck with him,” the source concluded.
The former governor’s political career has been marked by significant movement between major parties, a detail that adds context to the recent events. Investigations show that Daniel was a member of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) before defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to be elected governor in 2003. After his two terms ended in 2011, he moved to the Labour Party (LP) and PPN, under which he unsuccessfully contested a senatorial seat in 2015. He later returned to the PDP before his most recent move to the APC in 2021.
The circumstances surrounding his 2022 APC senatorial ticket have also become a subject of public debate. Two key figures, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, former Commissioner for Health, and Hon. Biyi Adeleye, Special Adviser to the governor on Political matters, have provided detailed, first-hand accounts of the alleged backroom dealings that led to his nomination, countering what they describe as “lies flying around.”
The revelations from these high-ranking party members paint a picture of a carefully orchestrated political manoeuvre, brokered by traditional authority, to ensure the former governor’s victory without a contest.
Dr. Babatunde Ipaye offered a detailed timeline of the primary election day, stating that no delegate had voted before he arrived at Itoro Hall. He claimed that he was instructed by the Awujale to announce his withdrawal from the race and that after Senator Daniel arrived, he was asked to re-announce their support for his candidacy. Ipaye concluded his testimony by saying, “I hope the above clarified all the lies flying around. I come in peace.”
His account is directly corroborated by Hon. Biyi Adeleye, who detailed the critical backroom negotiations that preceded the event. Adeleye revealed that the intervention of the Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona, was pivotal and that the meeting at the palace was called at the instance of Governor Dapo Abiodun to clear the path for Daniel. Adeleye stated that the incumbent Senator, Lekan Mustapha (SLM), had everything needed to win the primary, prompting the governor’s intervention to prevent a former governor from losing his senatorial ticket “under his nose.” Adeleye confirmed he was instructed to direct all local government chairmen to cast their votes for Daniel after the agreement was reached at the palace.
Further investigation into the matter has yielded new corroborating evidence. Independent sources within the Awujale’s palace have confirmed the monarch’s crucial role in brokering the political agreement. Two members confirmed that the late Awujale was ready to assist Senator Gbenga Daniel and beg Senator Lekan Mustapha. They also added a personal detail, noting that “Otunba Gbenga Daniel looked like a gentle person that day.”
This publication has also confirmed Hon. Adeleye’s account of the local government structure’s central role in executing the plan. “We also confirm the story from two former local government chairmen, and all the local government chairmen were there to carry on the instructions of the governor, Dapo Abiodun.” Amid these revelations, Senator Daniel’s extensive political journey has come back into focus, with his suspension adding another chapter to a career marked by significant partisan shifts.
