Former Governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, on Saturday, accused the incumbent state government under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun, of hostility and petty politics against him.
Daniel said the Abiodun-led state government is needlessly blocking federal government projects that can be beneficial to the state.
Naijaonpoint reports that the face-off between the Ogun State Government and Senator Daniel has deepened following an alleged ‘stop work’ order on a road reconstruction project in Sagamu.
Daniel and the government have been trading words over a stop-work order on the construction of Paddy Arikawe Oye Igbimo road, in Sagamu GRA.
The road project is one of the constituency projects facilitated by Senator Daniel.
It is understood that Daniel, a former Governor of the state, had, through his media aide, Steve Oloyede, lampooned the state government, stating that the directive from the state Ministry of Works and Infrastructure was politically motivated.
Reacting swiftly to his claims, the Ogun State Government dismissed the allegation, describing it as “egregious falsehood.”
In a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Abiodun, Kayode Akinmade, the government explained that the contractor handling the road, Minim and Tonye Nigeria Limited, was only directed to obtain the necessary clearance since the road in question is under state jurisdiction.
Speaking on Saturday during his ongoing Midterm Community Assessment and Review Tour of the BATOGD Movement in Ijebu North East LGA, Senator Daniel said what is expected of the state government is cooperation, not hostility. He added that petty politics must not be allowed to shortchange the people of Ogun State.
He added that as a Senator, the state government should support and encourage him to bring more developments home, rather than antagonize him.
“What we expect, and indeed require, from the State Government is cooperation, not hostility. Petty politics must never be allowed to short-change our people.
“Let me give you a clear example. The Paddy Arikawe Road in Sagamu, which is currently a subject of controversy, was first opened up and tarred with drainages by our Ogun State Road Management Agency (OGROMA) in 2004, over twenty years ago.
“Sadly, since then, no significant repairs or maintenance had been carried out until we managed to include it as a palliative measure in our limited constituency projects. The primary responsibility for that road lies with the local and state government. The plank of my message to our state government is simple: we need encouragement, not discouragement, to bring more development home,” he said.
Daniel listed about 100kilometres of roads in deplorable state across Ijebu North East LG and urged the government to fix them in the interest of the public.
“These roads are lifelines for our farmers, traders, students, and the entire business community. Their rehabilitation will not only ease movement but also boost commerce and restore hope to our people. We sincerely beg the State Government to act now and allow the Federal Government to complement its efforts for the benefit of all,” he said.
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