The national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress has shut down a suspension move by Governor Dapo Abiodun against Senator Gbenga Daniel.

The Ogun chapter of the APC had suspended Mr Daniel, an ally of President Bola Tinubu and an incumbent senator representing Ogun East, in August. Mr Daniel was suspended alongside one of his political associates, Kunle Folarin, over alleged anti-party activities.

In a letter dated November 17, 2025, signed by Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, the national secretary of the APC, the party charged its Ogun chapter to allow the National Working Committee to investigate the allegations brought against Mr Daniel, while clarifying that Mr Daniel remains a bona fide member of the APC.

“I bring you compliments from the National Secretariat of our great party and write to inform you that the Party has been inundated with the recent notice of suspension of the Distinguished Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Sen. Otunba Olughenga Daniel. Please take note that the National Working Committee (NWC) is yet to deliberate on this matter as provided in Articles 21.3(d & e)of the party constitution.

“Consequent upon this, you are hereby requested to allow the National Working Committee to investigate the matter and take informed decision on the suspension before issuing any further public correspondence on this matter, until then, Sen. Otunba Olugbenga Daniel remains a bona fide member of the party. Accept the assurances of my highest regards. For: All Progressives Congress (APC) Sen. Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, PhD, National Secretary,” the letter stated.

There has been a running battle between Mr Daniel (a former Ogun governor) and Mr Abiodun (the incumbent), whose government in August marked the Sagamu residence and luxury hotel of Mr Daniel for demolition within three days, deepening the fierce political rivalry between both men ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Mr Daniel, who represents Ogun East senatorial district at the National Assembly, hails from the same zone as Mr Abiodun. The Ogun governor is widely believed to be plotting to run for the senatorial 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 APC in Ogun, 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.