Ogun govt denies blocking Gbenga Daniel’s road projects, says development needs coordination

The Ogun State Government has dismissed allegations that it is deliberately obstructing road projects facilitated by Senator Gbenga Daniel, a former governor of the state.

According to reports, construction on the Paddy-Arikawe Oye Igbimo Road in Sagamu a project backed by the Federal Government and championed by Senator Daniel, who represents Ogun East was recently halted by the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Critics had alleged that the move was politically motivated, aimed at settling scores with the project’s facilitator.

However, the state government clarified that the halt was not an act of sabotage but a matter of ensuring proper coordination in the execution of development projects across Ogun.

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There has been an unending face-off between Senator Daniel and Governor Abiodun, with the ex-governor accusing Abiodun of using every instrument of state power to persecute him politically ahead of 2027 senatorial election.

Daniel’s camp perceived the alleged stoppage of Paddy-Arikawe Oye Igbimo Road project as the handiwork Governor Abiodun.

However, the government yesterday said it had no reason to halt the road project.

It gave this indication through the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Abiodun, Kayode Akinmade.

According to Akinmade, who spoke on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ijebu-Ilese, lawmakers from the state routinely inform the government about their constituency projects to aid planning and budgeting, but Daniel chose not to follow due process.

Appealing to the senator to develop a close relationship with the relevant ministry, he said: “If a project the state is contemplating is already captured in the federal budget, the state government will now use the resources made for that one for another road. But in a situation where there is no communication, that’s the problem.”

Akinmade urged contractors handling constituency projects to work closely with relevant ministries, saying Ogun State Government would never intentionally block projects meant to bring relief to the people.

Listing the achievements recorded by Governor Abiodun in sectors, Akinmade said the administration had completed over 1,200 kilometres of roads across 20 local governments, reconstructed federal highways such as Ijebu-Ode-Epe Highway to international standard.

He said Ogun’s economy quadrupled from N3.5 trillion in 2019 to N16 trillion in 2025, ‘’and investors have been moving to Sagamu, Papalanto and other areas, even as there are plans for a Disneyland and entertainment hall that will revolutionise the business climate in the state.’’

He said Ogun recorded lowest food price increase nationwide, going by the May 2025 report of the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS), adding that the renovation of a tourism landmark, Olumo Rock, generated about N20 million weekly.

Noting that Ogun is “arguably the most secure state in Nigeria” with peace and stability, Akinmade said the state government was collaborating with Lagos State on a N500 billion agricultural intervention, adding that the farmers’ markets in Abeokuta had helped to stabilise food prices.

“In the last six years, Ogun State has been investors destination of choice in Nigeria,” Akinmade declared, highlighting Governor Abiodun’s focus on creating opportunities for investors, building infrastructure, ICT and maintaining peace and stability.