The political rivalry between the incumbent Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and former Governor and current Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD), has escalated, shifting its focus from future political ambitions to a dispute over a constituency road project.
Daniel and Abiodun were once allies, with the former Governor instrumental in supporting Abiodun’s successful 2019 gubernatorial bid against stiff opposition from then-Governor Ibikunle Amosun.
However, the détente crumbled due to speculation that Governor Abiodun harbors an ambition to contest for the Ogun East Senatorial seat in 2027, the very seat OGD now occupies.
According to an ally to the Governor, Abiodun believes he has repaid Daniel’s past favor by facilitating the Senator’s ticket.
The tussle has taken a public turn over the ongoing 260-meter rehabilitation of the Paddy Arikawe Oye-Igbimo Road in Sagamu, a project sponsored by Senator Daniel.
Daniel recently claimed that the State Government was frustrating his efforts, warning that such obstruction could discourage other lawmakers from delivering the dividends of democracy.
The Ogun State Government, however, strongly condemned Daniel’s remarks as “reckless and misleading.” In a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, the government accused the Senator of deliberately distorting facts and using media outlets to incite public discord.
Akinmade explained that the government did not obstruct the project but merely issued a directive for the contractor, who had commenced work without prior notification, to “regularize its operations by following laid-down procedures.”
“Only a mind bent on mischief will describe adherence to due process as obstruction,” Akinmade asserted, noting that the contractor has since accepted the government’s recommendations, which makes Daniel’s public claims even more misleading.
The Governor’s aide questioned why Senator Daniel is the only federal lawmaker in Ogun State consistently embroiled in disputes over constituency projects, noting that other lawmakers execute projects without resistance from the state.
Akinmade went on to accuse Daniel of a long-standing disregard for due process, referencing his past conduct, including confrontations with the law and his refusal to present documents for Sagamu properties during a verification exercise.
He characterized Daniel’s current attempts to bypass established processes as an effort to impose shoddy and unsafe engineering works on the public.
Furthermore, Akinmade highlighted Daniel’s continuous attacks on the administration, noting the irony of his complaints about roads given his own construction record as governor.
The aide stressed that the present Abiodun administration has constructed over 1,000 kilometers of roads across the state, contrasting it with Daniel’s tenure.
He also pointed out that Daniel is currently under suspension by his party’s state executive.
Akinmade concluded by stating that while Senator Daniel may persist in his media war, the Ogun State Government under Governor Abiodun will prioritize the rule of law and public safety, refusing to compromise standards to satisfy the whims of any single individual.
