Ogun Govt, Senator Gbenga Daniel Clash Again Over Road Project in Sagamu

The dispute between the Ogun State Government and the senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Gbenga Daniel, has resurfaced following allegations that the state issued a “stop work” order on a road project facilitated by the senator in the Sagamu area of the state.

Daniel, through his media aide, Steve Oloyede, claimed that the move was politically motivated.

However, the Ogun State Government swiftly dismissed the allegation, describing it as “egregious falsehood.” In a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Kayode Akinmade, the government explained that the contractor, Minim and Tonye Nigeria Limited, was only asked to comply with due process by applying for clearance since the road in question belongs to the state.

According to the statement, the project had earlier been listed for repairs under Governor Abiodun’s schedule, hence the contractor was instructed to seek approval and provide details of the scope of work. This, the government said, would allow the state to formally remove the project from its list.

The government challenged critics to point out any legal flaw in the letter signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Yusuf L.O., which directed the contractor to suspend operations pending necessary approvals.

The statement further explained that no contractor can repair a state or federal road without prior approval. It recalled that the Ogun State Government was previously unable to fix the Abeokuta–Sango Ota Road because the then Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, refused to grant permission.

“If not for mischief orchestrated by their drowning principal, how can anyone equate asking a contractor to obtain the necessary approval before working on a state road to stopping the project because of alleged political hostility?” the government queried.

The statement also referenced a letter dated February 1, 2025, in which former federal lawmaker Hon. Adewunmi Onanuga formally sought permission to begin construction on four rural roads, including Sokanmade Road, Ewuga; Oko and Ada Road, Simawa; Ita Maro to Ilara Road; and Alhaja Ogunsanya Street, Irolu.

The government insisted this remains the standard procedure for all projects.