The Ogun State Government has described as “reckless and misleading” recent comments by the senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, against Governor Dapo Abiodun over the ongoing rehabilitation of the 260-metre Paddy Arikawe Oye-Igbimo Road in Sagamu.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, the government accused the former governor of deliberately distorting facts, inciting the public with false claims and using pliant media platforms to promote discord in the state.
Akinmade explained that contrary to Daniel’s allegations of obstruction, the only directive issued by the state was for the contractor handling the project—who had commenced work without notifying the government—to regularise its operations in line with laid-down procedures.
“Only a mind bent on mischief will describe adherence to due process as obstruction. The same contractor has since accepted the government’s recommendations, which makes Senator Daniel’s claims even more misleading,” Akinmade stated.
The state government further recalled what he described as Daniel’s history of disregard for the law, including a previous standoff over property verification in Sagamu.
“It is ironic that Senator Daniel, who spent years undermining state institutions while in power, now pretends to seek collaboration. A genuine statesman would comply with established processes rather than attempt to impose shoddy and unsafe engineering works on the people”, said Akinmade.
He also recalled Daniel’s past confrontations with the law, including his refusal to present documents for properties in Sagamu during a routine verification exercise, describing such disregard for due process as unbecoming of a former governor and now a senator.
“Senator Daniel, currently under suspension by his party’s state executive, has made it a pastime to attack the government at every turn. He complains about roads, yet how many did he construct as governor? Meanwhile, the present administration has built over 1,000 kilometres of roads across the state,” Akinmade stressed.
He concluded that while Daniel may continue his “media war,” the Ogun State Government under Governor Abiodun will not compromise the rule of law or endanger public safety to satisfy the whims of any individual.
