The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun has decided to suspend two of its members, including the former governor of the state, Gbenga Daniel, along with Kunle Folarin.
Ogun APC spokesman Nuberu Olufemi stated that the suspensions were a result of allegations concerning anti-party activities made by their respective wards.
The party’s state working committee has asserted that this action is within its authority.
“After careful consideration, the Committees have suspended the members indefinitely, pending further investigation and the results of the Committees’ inquiry. Copies of the indefinite suspension letters have been forwarded to the State Chairman for the State Working Committee’s consideration and approval,” said Yemi Sanusi, the Ogun State Chairman of the ruling party, who presided over the meeting on August 19, attended by sixteen members.
Sanusi remarked, “The meeting reviewed the reports from the Disciplinary Committees that were investigating allegations of misconduct and anti-party activities against the two members from Ward 4 and Ward 6 of Sagamu Local Government, respectively.
“Ward 4, Sagamu Local Government, established a Disciplinary Committee to address the alleged misconduct related to anti-party activities by Senator Gbenga Daniel. In a similar vein, Ward 6, Sagamu Local Government, formed a Disciplinary Committee to investigate claims of gross misconduct and anti-party activities allegedly committed by Hon. Kunle Folarin.
“They reached out to the members under scrutiny, inviting them to the disciplinary meetings where they could present their defense or seek clemency from the party. However, both members did not respond to the written invitations, did not submit a written defense, and did not attend the disciplinary meetings where they were to have the chance to defend themselves.
In light of their intentional and unexplained absences, the Committees convened as planned, heard from the witnesses present, reviewed the available documentary evidence, and discussed the allegations.
Furthermore, the Committees were informed that the members under investigation had been intimidating party members and cautioning them against collaborating with the Committees. Additionally, it was reported that these members had been leveraging their positions within the party to coerce party members into retracting the petitions filed against them.
It was stated that the suspension aimed to safeguard “the integrity of the disciplinary process and to prevent interference by the members under investigation”.
The party indicated that the suspensions were a result of the members’ lack of cooperation with the investigation and their efforts to pressure party members into withdrawing petitions against them.
“The State Working Committee has approved the suspensions; this meeting reflects the party’s dedication to maintaining discipline and adhering to its constitution,” the statement indicated.
