2027: How Daniel Lost Ground In Ogun APC Power Structure
Fresh details have emerged on how Senator Gbenga Daniel, who represents Ogun East in the National Assembly, has lost influence within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Party insiders say President Bola Tinubu’s decision to exclude Ogun State from the list of states slated for internal reconciliation has effectively preserved the existing party structure, leaving Daniel on the fringes of APC operations in the state.
According to sources, the exclusion has frustrated alleged moves by the former governor to leverage the reconciliation process to reintegrate himself into the party hierarchy without addressing outstanding allegations against him.
In a bid to strengthen the APC nationwide ahead of future elections, President Tinubu, as National Leader of the party, recently directed the APC Reconciliation Committee to immediately resolve lingering internal disputes in 11 states—Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Kano, Osun, Rivers, Sokoto, and Zamfara. Ogun State was notably absent from the list.
It will be recalled that Daniel was suspended last year by the leadership of Ward 4 in Sagamu over alleged anti-party activities, after reportedly failing to respond to queries issued by party leaders. The suspension was subsequently ratified by the State Working Committee (SWC) of the APC.
However, the move was challenged by the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, who argued that the national leadership was not consulted before the suspension was approved.
Meanwhile, the national leadership of the APC is said to have directed Daniel to work with Governor Dapo Abiodun to mobilize party members for the ongoing nationwide e-registration and membership revalidation exercise. This directive reportedly came amid concerns over Daniel’s involvement in a parallel political structure, “Gateway Frontier,” which includes some of his supporters who were formerly members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
