The Ogun State Government has criticised Senator Gbenga Daniel for his remarks over a stop-work order issued on the 260-metre Paddy Arikawe Oye-Igbimo Road rehabilitation project in Sagamu, calling his comments “reckless and misleading.”
In a statement on Sunday, the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Kayode Akinmade, accused Daniel of distorting facts and inciting the public with false claims instead of respecting due process.
“Only a mind bent on mischief will describe adherence to due process as obstruction,” Akinmade stated, noting that the contractor had already accepted the government’s recommendations, making Daniel’s criticism baseless.
The state government also accused the senator of being the only federal lawmaker in Ogun State repeatedly involved in disputes over constituency projects, adding that his tenure as governor was marked by institutional disregard and conflict.
“A genuine statesman would follow established procedures rather than attempt to impose shoddy and unsafe engineering works on the people,” Akinmade added.
He further recalled a previous standoff involving Daniel over property verification in Sagamu and criticised his track record, questioning how many roads he built while in office compared with the over 1,000 kilometres constructed by the current administration.
While Daniel’s media team described the stop-work order as “sabotage” aimed at denying residents the benefits of federal projects, the state government insisted it was a necessary legal measure.
Daniel’s aide, Steve Oliyide, accused the government of frustrating federal interventions in Ogun East and trying to undermine President Bola Tinubu’s efforts.
“The Sagamu-Aiyepe road project had already received budgetary approval and was signed into law by the President. Yet, as soon as contractors were mobilised, the state government intervened,” Oliyide said.
He also cited similar clashes in Ijebu Ode, alleging a pattern of obstruction aimed at portraying the federal government negatively.
Despite the accusations, Akinmade emphasised that Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration would not compromise the rule of law or public safety to appease any individual.
“Daniel may continue his media war, but we will never endanger the public simply to satisfy his whims,” he concluded.