THE lingering face-off between the Ogun State Government and former governor, Senator Gbenga Daniel, representing Ogun East Senatorial District, has escalated following the state government’s directive to suspend work on a road reconstruction project in Sagamu.
News Point Nigeria reports that the controversy began after workers handling the rehabilitation of Paddy-Arikawe-Oye-Igbimo Road were reportedly asked to halt operations by the Ogun State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.
Senator Daniel, through his media aide Steve Oloyede, condemned the move, alleging it was politically motivated and designed to frustrate a project facilitated for the benefit of his constituents.
But in a swift rebuttal, the Ogun State Government denied any political undertones, insisting that the contractor, Minim and Tonye Nigeria Limited, was merely asked to follow proper procedures by applying for permission before continuing work on what it described as a state-owned road.
In a statement signed by Governor Dapo Abiodun’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade received by News Point Nigeria, the state government described the allegations as “egregious falsehood” and urged the public to ignore what it called “politically motivated misinformation.”
According to Akinmade, Governor Abiodun had previously scheduled the road for repairs under the state’s infrastructure plan. The government, therefore, needed the contractor to state the exact scope of work so the road could be taken off the state’s maintenance schedule.
“No one can carry out any repair work on a road without obtaining the necessary permission, which is why a state government intent on repairing any federal road must first obtain the Federal Government’s permission,” the statement read.
The government challenged those accusing it of playing politics to show anything legally wrong with the letter signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, directing the contractor to temporarily suspend work pending formal clearance.
Akinmade likened the situation to the past challenges Ogun State faced when seeking Federal Government approval to rehabilitate federal roads such as the Abeokuta–Sango Ota Road, saying due process is a mandatory step for all levels of government and contractors.
“If not for outright mischief carried out on behalf of their drowning principal, how can anyone equate asking a contractor to obtain necessary approval before working on a state road to stopping the project because of alleged political hostility?” the statement queried.
The government also cited a February 1, 2025 letter from former federal lawmaker Hon. Adewunmi Onanuga, who followed due process by formally seeking state permission to rehabilitate four rural roads in Simawa, Irolu, and Ewuga, as the “proper route to take.”
For residents of Sagamu and adjoining communities, however, the main concern remains when the road will eventually be fixed, as the project is seen as critical for easing transport challenges in the busy industrial hub.
