Days after efforts to demolish Senator Gbenga Daniel’s hotel failed, Governor Dapo Abiodun has launched a proxy battle ahead of a high-stakes election in 2027. Mr Abiodun, as the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun, superintended the suspension of his current political archrival.

The planned demolition of Mr Daniel’s residence and luxury property last week shattered hopes of any possible reconciliation between the two APC bigwigs. After some manoeuvrings by Mr Daniel, the Ogun governor’s plan was stalled.

Mr. Daniel, a former Ogun governor, was suspended for allegedly engaging in “anti-party activities” and “misconduct”.

A statement by the Ogun APC publicity director, Nuberu Olufemi, announced Mr Daniel and lawmaker Kunle Folarin’s indefinite suspension on Monday after accusing them of harassing party members into withdrawing a petition that did not favour the duo.

The ruling party further alleged the senator shunned disciplinary invitations, noting those actions prompted their suspension.

“In exercise of its powers, the State Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State hereby affirms the suspension of two members of our party in Ogun State, Senator Gbenga Daniel and Hon. Kunle Folarin, by their respective wards for alleged anti-party activities,” the statement said.

However, the party failed to elaborate on the so-called misconduct, nor did it disclose when and how often Mr Daniel was summoned.

Mr Daniel, who represents the Ogun East senatorial district at the National Assembly, hails from the same senatorial zone as Mr Abiodun. The governor is widely rumoured to be plotting to contest a Senate seat in 2027, a plan that has set him on a collision course with Mr. Daniel, who is expected to seek re-election.

The rivalry has fractured the state’s ruling APC, with insiders telling Peoples Gazette that Mr Abiodun sees pushing Mr Daniel out of the party as the surest way to secure the ticket. Both men were once allies, with Mr Daniel supporting Mr Abiodun’s successful 2019 governorship bid. The relationship soured soon after, and the governor has since been accused of using state machinery to target his predecessor.

Mr Daniel, a former governor who led Ogun between 2003 and 2011, was elected senator in 2023 under the APC and wields significant influence within the state, where many have remained loyal to him, seeing him as a political godfather.

Mr Abiodun does not share the same fealty for his distant predecessor, whom he views as the stumbling block to his 2027 senatorial ticket, pundits say. He has a police record in the U.S., where he was arrested over allegations of credit card fraud in the 1980s.

Mr Daniel’s media aide, Stephen Oluyide, did not immediately return comments on whether the senator plans to challenge the suspension or if there’s an option to appeal.