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*OGUN APC: THE CRISIS DEEPENS WHILE ONAYEMI TELLS THE DRAMA OF OGD’S EXCLUSION AND REJECTS SUSPENSION REQUESTS
*Political tension within the Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken on a new dimension following fresh reports of how former governor and sitting senator, Gbenga Daniel (OGD), was allegedly blocked from a stakeholders meeting in Ijebu Ode.*
The incident reportedly occurred at the Adeola Odutola Hall during a crucial political meeting. Former Ijebu North East Local Government Chairman, Otunba Tayo Onayemi, has now given a detailed eyewitness account of what happened. His narration further deepened the controversy over the outcome of the meeting.
Speaking on Sabenko, a Yoruba language political and public affairs program on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese Ijebu, Otunba Tayo Onayemi said he was physically present at the venue and arrived at the venue early.
According to him, “I was the second person to enter the Adeola Odutola Hall and everything was already organized according to the status of the dignitaries.” He explained that he participated in his capacity as Deputy Director General of the OGD movement in Ijebu axis. “My job was to coordinate and direct our people,” he said.
He added that he met other political actors including comrade Dele Giwa at the entrance. Onayemi insisted that the environment was already tense before the meeting began. He said the seating structure and entrance layout reflects the political hierarchy. “It was already evident that something delicate was happening,” he noted.
OGD EXCLUSION CLAIMS
Onayemi said he was informed on the spot that the OGD would not be allowed to enter the hall. He said the information was conveyed by Honorable Tunde Diya, Chairman of Odogbolu Local Government. According to him, Diya allegedly said that “the rally belongs to Governor Dapo Abiodun”. He said he immediately disputed that claim, insisting that OGD remains a “respectable political leader.”
Onayemi questioned the legitimacy of barring a sitting senator from a stakeholders meeting. He said: “OGD is no stranger to Ogun politics.” He added that political inclusion should take priority over personal or factional interests. He argued that exclusion only exacerbates divisions within the party.
*“WE BUILT THIS STRUCTURE” – ONAYEMI*
The former prime minister highlighted his historic involvement in Ogun politics. He said, “We were the frontline people that God used to build this political structure.” He recalled their role in the political transition of December 6, 1998. “We have fought since the military era to establish what we now call democracy,” he added.
Onayemi further questioned the authority of some current political actors. “Where was Diya then when we were building this foundation?” he asked. He insisted that political legitimacy must be rooted in history and contribution. He argued that experience should not be rejected in internal party decisions.
Onayemi also revisited the emergence of Governor Dapo Abiodun in 2018. He said he and Engineer Habeeb Aregbe played a role in the mobilization efforts. According to him, the governor’s mother played a key coordination role during the election period. “We didn’t even know Dapo Abiodun personally then; we knew his mother,” he said.
He also said he participated in last-minute mobilization efforts before the election. He said policy coordination at the time involved multiple grassroots actors. He added that some current political leaders have also benefited from these efforts. “We worked together for the system,” he said.
*GATE BLOCK COMPLAINTS AGAINST OGD*
Onayemi said that about 40 minutes into the meeting, news came that the OGD had been denied entry. He said he had heard comments suggesting that the OGD was “still dragging out senatorial ambition after eight years”. He described the comments as disrespectful and politically motivated. He insisted that the exclusion was deliberate.
He said he immediately contacted OGD to confirm the situation. “I called him and he confirmed he was out,” Onayemi said. He added that the situation created confusion among participants. He described it as “a shame for democracy”.
*ATRY TO RESOLVE THE SITUATION*
Onayemi said he attempted to clarify the situation with another political figure identified as Biyi. He said Biyi admitted that OGD was nearby but was not allowed inside. According to him, he was told to meet OGD outside the venue. He described the education as politically inconvenient.
He said security officers were later ordered to escort him out of the hall. “They called about three security men to take me out,” he said. He claimed that this was done suddenly and without adequate explanation. He described the experience as humiliating.
Onayemi further stated that an alternative exit route had been opened for him. He said the route was not the main gate where the OGD was stationed. “It was like an escape,” he said. He added that the agreement was deliberate to avoid confrontation.
He described the situation as unprecedented in his political experience. “Even during the military era, I never saw this kind of thing,” he said. He insisted that the handling of the situation was politically insensitive. He warned that such actions could worsen party divisions.
*REFUSAL OF SUSPENSION REQUESTS*
Onayemi strongly rejected claims that the OGD was suspended by the APC. He said, “There is no such thing as suspension for OGD.” He referred to alleged clarifications from the party’s National Working Committee (NWC). “Abuja also said there is no suspension,” he added.
He maintained that OGD remains a key player in Ogun politics. He insisted that any disciplinary process must follow due procedure. He claimed that the suspension rumors were politically motivated. He described them as “unfounded and misleading”.
*PARTY ENDORSEMENT CONTROVERSY*
Onayemi also reacted to the endorsement of Governor Abiodun as the consensus candidate. He said such decisions must follow party rules. “There is no such thing as approval outside of primaries or consensus,” he said. He insisted that due process must be respected.
He added that Senator Daniel had previously sat at similar events without restrictions. He said: “It was a party meeting, not a personal meeting.” He argued that selective exclusion weakens party unity. He warned against turning internal democracy into factional control.
Meanwhile, Onayemi stressed that democracy allows for the free participation of aspirants. “Everyone is free to contest without intimidation,” he said. He argued that political structures must be inclusive. He insisted that consent cannot be imposed.
He called for strict adherence to the party’s constitution. He said political actors must respect internal rules. He warned that the deviation could lead to instability. He described democracy as “rules-based, not personality-driven.”
HISTORICAL POLITICAL REFERENCE
He also referenced the evolution of political parties in Nigeria, tracing alliances involving President Bola Tinubu. He said, “We started with AD, moved to AC, ACN and now APC.” He described the political evolution as continuous and strategic. He insisted that party loyalty must be respected.
He added that senior politicians played an important role in shaping the current structures. He said decisions made in the past still influence current alignments. He emphasized unity among the factions. He warned against rewriting political history.
*CALLERS REACTION*
Throughout the program, callers expressed mixed reactions to the controversy. Chief Afefeowo of Ijebu-Ife said the OGD remains widely respected at the political level. He added that politicians often resolve disputes privately after public disagreements. He urged moderation in public comments.
Another caller, Sulaiman Adetunji of Ijebu-Ode, accused Governor Abiodun of abuse of power. He argued that political authority should not prevail over party rules. He called for fairness and internal democracy. He warned against intimidation by rivals.
*FINAL ANSWER FROM ONAYEMI*
Responding to calls, Onayemi said party rules must guide political conduct. He said: “There are limits to how power is used in politics.” He added that politicians must respect the electorate. He insisted that “politicians fear people more than themselves.”
He concluded by calling for peace within the APC in Ogun State. He called for reconciliation between the parties concerned. He warned that the continuation of the crisis could weaken the party ahead of future elections. He reaffirmed that unity remains the only way forward for stability in Ogun politics.
