The Ogun State Government has confirmed it ordered the suspension of work on the Paddy Arikawe Oye Igbimo Road project in Sagamu GRA due to the contractor’s failure to secure the necessary permits and approvals.
The road, a constituency project initiated by former governor and current Ogun East Senator Gbenga Daniel, was halted following a directive contained in a letter that has gone viral.
The letter, dated September 17, 2025, was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Dr. Lateef Yusuf, on behalf of Commissioner Ade Akinsanya. It stated that the project was started without proper clearance from the state, thereby breaching procedural requirements.
The government advised the contractor to obtain formal approval before continuing and added that the road is under consideration for reconstruction by the state.
“This action negates the normal due process which ought to be followed before commencing work on a state government road.
“You need to seek the government approval before work can commence. Nevertheless, this is one of the projects being considered for reconstruction by the state government in the Sagamu Local Government.
“You are, therefore, advised to stop work and follow the necessary approval process.”
Speaking to newsmen, the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, dismissed suggestions that the order was politically motivated.
He explained that the halt was about following proper procedures. “Even for federal roads, the state government must secure approval from the Federal Government before starting work. The same rule applies to state facilities,” he said.
Akinmade cited the late federal lawmaker Adewunmi Onanuga’s rural road interventions as an example of compliance with government protocols.
In contrast, Senator Daniel’s media aide, Steve Oliyide, condemned the state government’s action, describing it as counterproductive and premeditated.
He claimed this was not the first time projects facilitated by the senator were halted and alleged that similar interventions, including the Sagamu Aiyepe Road and the Gateway Hotel road in Ijebu Ode, were disrupted by the state.
Oliyide argued that such actions undermine Federal Government initiatives and deny residents the benefits of development projects.