Politics
I Remain A Member Of APC – Gbenga Daniel Declares, Why He Threatens Legal Action
became public through a statement issued last week by the Ogun State chapter
Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Ogun State and current representative of Ogun East Senatorial District, has reaffirmed his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that he will take legal action against those behind reports of his alleged suspension.
In a statement released on Monday, his media office described the publications as “offensive, malicious, and libellous,” stressing that they were designed to smear a reputation Daniel has built over years in professional, business, and political life.
News of his alleged suspension first became public through a statement issued last week by the Ogun State chapter of the APC.
The state chapter, controlled by Governor Dapo Abiodun, is believed to be locked in a supremacy tussle with Daniel. The suspension is widely seen as a fallout of their long-running political feud, which has increasingly shaped the balance of forces within the party.
The conflict has been inflamed by claims that Governor Abiodun is eyeing Daniel’s senatorial seat ahead of 2027. Those claims appeared validated when Emmanuel Ojo, the governor’s senior adviser on social media, posted that his principal was the “incoming Senator for Ogun East by the grace of God.” The remark has been interpreted by Daniel’s loyalists as an open confirmation of Abiodun’s ambition and a direct challenge to OGD’s political base.
The rebuttal from Daniel’s camp followed articles that amplified the suspension claim, which quickly spread across national newspapers and social platforms under headlines such as “Why APC Suspended Senator Gbenga Daniel.” His media team insists the reports are fabricated and politically motivated.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel is and remains a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, elected on the platform of the APC,” the statement declared.
Daniel, popularly known as OGD, has remained a towering figure in Ogun politics since leaving office in 2011. His entrance into the APC in 2021 was widely seen as a boost to the ruling party’s strength in Ogun East and across the state, where his grassroots network remains formidable. His influence was further solidified with his victory in the 2023 senatorial election, where he won comfortably on the APC platform.
Political observers say the suspension drama underscores the rising tensions within the Ogun APC as the state gradually positions itself for the 2027 governorship contest.
To counter the narrative, his media office has given those behind the reports a seven-day ultimatum to retract the story and publish apologies across national newspapers, in addition to removing all related content from digital platforms.
Failure to comply, it warned, will trigger legal proceedings. “Our lawyers have been adequately briefed to proceed on the next course of action, should you fail to heed this call for retraction,” the statement said.
With this move, Daniel appears intent not just on defending his reputation but also on sending a clear signal that he remains firmly in the APC fold.
