- Safiu Kehinde
The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has reiterated his call on the former Governor of the state and serving Senator, Gbenga Daniel, to comply with the established processes over his ongoing 260-metre rehabilitation of Paddy Arikawe Oye-Igbimo Road in Sagamu area of the state.
While condemning what he described as reckless and misleading comments made by the senator representing Ogun East against him, Abiodun charged Daniel to respect due process, which he has persistently ignored.
As contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, the governor questioned why Daniel remains the only federal lawmaker in Ogun State constantly embroiled in disputes over constituency projects.
He noted that others have executed projects without encountering resistance from the government.
“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.” Akinmade wrote.
The governor’s aide accused Daniel of deliberately distorting facts, inciting the public with false claims, and using pliant media outlets to promote discord and confusion in the state.
Akinmade explained that contrary to Daniel’s allegations of obstruction, the only directive given by the government was for the contractor handling the project—who had commenced work without notifying the state—to regularize its operations by following 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 Daniel’s claims even more misleading.” Akinmade said.
He further recalled Daniel’s past confrontations with the law, including his refusal to present documents for properties in Sagamu during a routine verification exercise, adding that such disregard for due process is unbecoming of a former governor and now a senator.
“Daniel, who is 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 kilometers 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 never compromise the rule of law or endanger the public simply to satisfy the whims of a single individual.