Former governor and senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, has called for the cooperation of the state government, stressing that hostility and petty politics will only serve to shortchange the state’s citizens.
Daniel made the statement on Saturday during his ongoing Midterm Community Assessment and Review Tour of the BATOGD Movement in Ijebu North East Local Government.
Recall that the Ogun State government, through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Dr Lateef Yusuf, on behalf of the commissioner, Ade Akinsanya, in a letter dated September 17, 2025, placed 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.
According to the letter, the contractor’s action “negates the normal due process that is to be followed before commencing work on a State Government road.”
However, Daniel’s media aide, Steve Oliyide, described the stop-work order as a “sinister motive” by the Abiodun government against projects facilitated by the former governor.
Responding, Kayode Akinmade, the governor’s spokesperson, explained that the contractor, Minim and Tonye Nigeria Limited, was only asked to follow due process and apply for permission from the government.
Akinmade emphasised that all road projects in the state have criteria and procedures, insisting that the government will not compromise on quality, nor allow substandard projects, as residents deserve roads that stand the test of time, not propaganda-driven distractions.
Daniel, speaking on Saturday, argued that a fundamental part of his role as senator is lawmaking and, crucially, facilitating the location of federal projects within the constituency.
He asserted that, in order to bring more development home, the state government should encourage him rather than discourage.
According to him, the process of awarding contracts and executing these projects is the responsibility of various federal agencies, often in cooperation with state agencies.
“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 20 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,” Daniel added.
Meanwhile, the federal lawmaker reaffirmed his unflinching support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that his bold and thoughtful leadership is steadily redirecting the nation’s economy and restoring its pride.
Petty politics will short-change Ogun citizens – Gbenga Daniel