Ogun APC Slams Indefinite Suspension On Ex Gov. Senator Daniel, Folarin Over Anti-Party Activities

From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta, Thesun.ng

The Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has slammed indefinite suspension on the former governor of the state and the incumbent senator representing Ogun East senatorial district at the National Assembly, Gbenga Daniel, over anti-party activities.

The party also suspended another party stalwart, Kunle Folarin, for the same anti-party activities.

In a statement signed by the Director of Publicity of Ogun APC, Nuberu Olufemi, on Tuesday night, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, the suspension of the duo was ratified and affirmed by the State Working Committee of the party at a meeting chaired by State Chairman, Yemi Sanusi with 16 members present on August 19.

Nuberu stated that the disciplinary committees set up by the party executive members of in Ward 4 and Ward 6, Sagamu Local Government Area of the state, had slammed the suspension of Daniel and Folarin, respectively, for alleged misconduct and anti-party activities.

He added the disciplinary committees had formally written and invited the suspended party members under investigation to appear before them and defend themselves, but they ignored the invitations.

The party spokesperson in the statement stated that rather than exploring the opportunity to defend the allegations contained in the petitions against them, the duo had resorted to harassing party members and warning members against cooperating with the committees.

They were also alleged to be using their statuses within the party to pressure party members to withdraw the petitions against them.

The statement reads partly: “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 State Chairman of the party, Chief Yemi Sanusi, chaired the meeting held on August 19, with sixteen members present.

“The meeting considered the reports of the following Disciplinary Committees investigating allegations of misconduct and anti-party activities against the two members in Ward 4 and Ward 6 of Sagamu Local Government, respectively.

“Ward 4, Sagamu Local Government, set up a Disciplinary Committee on the alleged misconduct bordering on anti-party activities committed by Senator Gbenga Daniel. Similarly, Ward 6, Sagamu Local Government, set up a Disciplinary Committee on the allegations of gross misconduct and anti-party activities allegedly committed by Hon. Kunle Folarin. They wrote to the members under investigation, inviting them to the disciplinary meetings at which they were to be heard and allowed to present evidence in their defense or request pardon from the party. However, both members failed to respond to the invitations extended to them in writing, failed to provide a written defense, and failed to attend the disciplinary meetings at which they were to be given the opportunity to defend themselves.

“In view of their deliberate and unexplained absences, the Committees deliberated as scheduled, heard from the available witnesses, considered the available documentary evidence, and deliberated on the allegations. In addition to the above, the Committees received notice that the members under investigation had been harassing party members and warning members against cooperating with the Committees, and further that the members under investigation had been using their statuses within the party to pressure party members to withdraw the petitions against them. In view of this development, the Committees resolved to protect the integrity of the disciplinary process and to eliminate interference by the members under investigation.

“Upon due consideration, the Committees suspended the members indefinitely, pending further investigation and the outcome of the Committees’ inquiry. Copies of the letters of indefinite suspension had been sent to the State Chairman for consideration and approval of the State Working Committee. The suspensions were based on the members’ failure to cooperate with the investigation and their attempts to pressure party members to withdraw petitions against them.

“The SWC has ratified the suspensions. The meeting demonstrates the party’s commitment to maintaining discipline and upholding its constitution”.