ABEOKUTA — The Ogun State Government has debunked claims that it deliberately halted road projects facilitated by former governor and senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, insisting that its goal is coordination of development efforts, not political obstruction.
The controversy surrounds the construction of the Paddy-Arikawe Oye Igbimo Road in Sagamu, a project backed by the Federal Government and facilitated by Senator Daniel. Reports alleged that the Dapo Abiodun-led administration stopped the work to settle political scores amid a growing rift between the governor and his predecessor ahead of the 2027 senatorial election.
But reacting on a current affairs programme, Frontline, on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ijebu-Ilese, the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, dismissed the allegation, stressing that the government has no reason to frustrate projects meant to benefit the people.
“Lawmakers in the state routinely inform the government about their constituency projects to aid planning and budgeting. But in this case, Senator Daniel did not follow due process,” Akinmade explained.
He urged contractors handling constituency projects to liaise with relevant ministries to avoid duplication of efforts. “If a project the state is contemplating is already captured in the federal budget, the state will channel its own resources to another road. But without communication, problems arise,” he added.
Akinmade further highlighted Governor Abiodun’s achievements, including the completion of over 1,200 kilometres of roads across 20 local governments, reconstruction of federal highways like the Ijebu-Ode–Epe expressway to international standard, and the quadrupling of Ogun’s economy from ₦3.5 trillion in 2019 to ₦16 trillion in 2025.
He revealed that the renovation of Olumo Rock now generates ₦20 million weekly, while the state recorded the lowest food price increase nationwide, according to the May 2025 report of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Akinmade also noted that Ogun remains “arguably the most secure state in Nigeria,” citing ongoing collaborations with Lagos State on a ₦500 billion agricultural intervention and investor-friendly initiatives.
“In the last six years, Ogun State has been investors’ destination of choice,” he said, underscoring the administration’s focus on infrastructure, ICT, peace, and economic stability.
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