Former governor of Ogun State and current senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, has urged the state government to cooperate with him and other federal agencies to fast-track development in the state. He warned that hostility and petty politics would only hurt the people of Ogun by delaying vital projects.
Daniel made these remarks on Saturday during his ongoing Midterm Community Assessment and Review Tour of the BATOGD Movement in Ijebu North East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
His statement comes amid controversy over the recent stop-work order issued by the Ogun State government on the construction of Paddy Arikawe Oye Igbimo Road in Sagamu GRA, one of the federal constituency projects facilitated by the senator.
The stop-work order was communicated in a letter dated September 17, 2025, signed by Dr. Lateef Yusuf, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, acting on behalf of the Commissioner for Works, Ade Akinsanya. The letter claimed that the contractor had failed to follow the due process required before starting work on a state road.
The contractor involved, Minim and Tonye Nigeria Limited, was asked to apply for the necessary government permissions before continuing the project.
Reacting swiftly, Daniel’s media aide, Steve Oliyide, described the stop-work order as having a “sinister motive”, suggesting the state government under Governor Dapo Abiodun was trying to undermine projects facilitated by the former governor and current senator.
However, the governor’s spokesperson, Kayode Akinmade, clarified that the directive was not meant to halt the project indefinitely but to ensure that the proper procedures were followed.
Akinmade stressed that all road projects in Ogun State must meet strict criteria to guarantee quality and durability. He added that the government would not tolerate substandard works and would prioritize the welfare of residents over political distractions.
In his remarks on Saturday, Senator Gbenga Daniel highlighted that his main role as a federal lawmaker includes lawmaking and facilitating federal projects to his constituency.
He explained that many constituency projects are handled by federal agencies, often in partnership with state agencies, and therefore require smooth collaboration between the state government and federal representatives.
“What we expect, and indeed require, from the state government is cooperation, not hostility,” Daniel said.
“Petty politics must never be allowed to short-change our people.”
He gave the example of the Paddy Arikawe Road project, highlighting that the road had been initially opened and tarred with drainages by the Ogun State Road Management Agency (OGROMA) over 20 years ago, yet had seen no major repairs until his intervention.
“The primary responsibility for that road lies with the local and state government. But we managed to include it as a palliative measure in our limited constituency projects. The message to our state government is simple: we need encouragement, not discouragement, to bring more development home,” Daniel added.
Besides addressing local issues, Daniel also reaffirmed his unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He praised Tinubu’s bold and thoughtful leadership, saying the president was steadily redirecting Nigeria’s economy and restoring national pride.
Daniel expressed confidence that with unity at all levels of government, Nigeria — including Ogun State — could achieve greater development and stability.
Ogun State has witnessed political tensions between state and federal officials in recent years, often leading to delays or cancellations of development projects. The current dispute over the Paddy Arikawe Road is one of several instances where politics appears to interfere with infrastructure development.
The road project is crucial for Sagamu residents, who have long complained of poor road conditions affecting their daily commute and local businesses.
Senator Daniel’s call for unity is a reminder that development requires cooperation between all tiers of government, especially in states like Ogun where federal projects can complement state efforts to improve infrastructure.
