Photo File: Dapo Abiodun

Tensions have flared once again between the Ogun State Government and Senator Gbenga Daniel, representing Ogun East Senatorial District, over the reconstruction of a road in the Sagamu area.

The conflict reportedly stems from the state Ministry of Works and Infrastructure allegedly issuing a “stop work” order on a road project said to have been facilitated by the former governor and current senator.

Senator Daniel, through his media aide, Steve Oloyede, alleged that the government’s move was politically motivated.

However, the Ogun State Government swiftly debunked the claim, describing it as a blatant misrepresentation. In a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Kayode Akinmade, the government dismissed reports that it halted a federal road project along Paddy-Arikawe-Oye-Igbimo Road in Sagamu to settle political scores.

The state government explained that the contractor of the road was only asked to follow due process and apply for permission from the government because the road in question is a state road.

It further clarified that the road was already on the government’s repair schedule, and upon discovering another contractor working on it, the government requested that proper documentation be submitted.

The state government challenged the “writers of the fake news” to publish anything legally wrong with the letter signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Yusuf L.O., directing the contractor to suspend operations because the necessary permit/clearance was not obtained from the State Government before commencement.

It emphasized the importance of due process, citing a national example. “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 government reminded Nigerians of similar situations in the past, saying,

“Nigerians will recall that for a long time, the Ogun State Government could not carry out any repair works on federal roads like the Abeokuta-Sango Ota road because the then Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, refused to give the state permission. In their utter ignorance, the authors of the fake news claimed that the Federal Government had approved the construction of a road belonging to Ogun State.”

The statement also accused critics of mischief. “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? How do you work on a state road, indeed any road, without obtaining the necessary approval?”

The statement asked Nigerians to note that in a letter dated February 1, 2025, a former federal lawmaker, Hon. Adewunmi Onanuga, sought permission to start construction work on four rural roads, namely Sokanmade Road, Ewuga; Oko and Ada Road, Simawa; Ita Maro to Ilara Road; and Alhaja Ogunsanya Street, Irolu, among other projects.

This, the statement said, is the normal route to take.