The Convener of the United Premier Movement (UPM), Hon. Olalekan Shoyinka, also known as Ayinla Egba, has berated the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun, accusing it of hypocrisy over its comments on “technical standards” for road projects in Ogun State.
Shoyinka, in a rejoinder issued in Abeokuta, said it was ironic for a government that has allegedly failed to deliver durable infrastructure to now lecture contractors and the public about standards.
According to him, “It is nothing short of ironic that the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun, which has failed woefully in giving Ogun people quality roads, now seeks to lecture others about technical standards.”
“Truly, as the Yoruba will say: ‘Eni ti o n gbe ilekùn onà re sùn, ko gbọdọ fi oríṣà ẹnikan ṣe yẹyẹ’ — he who cannot guard his own doorway should not be found mocking the shrine of another.”
He accused the state government of rolling out substandard projects that fail within a short time after commissioning, citing the Papa–Ilaro Road, the Ilaro–Owode axis, and the Oke-Lantoro culvert.
“Most of the roads constructed by this administration cannot last two years after commissioning. At Oke-Lantoro, communities begged for a bridge but were told ‘the governor only paid for a road, not a bridge.’ The result is floods that wash away properties every rainy season,” he alleged.
Shoyinka further said that even projects celebrated by the government had either collapsed or were inherited. “The so-called palliative patches under NNPC Flyover at NOUN, Ibara flyover, Akin-Olugbade, and Lafenwa are nothing but wasteful make-believe, peeling off in less than six months. Even the celebrated Kuto Bridge is merely a carry-over project from his predecessor. Beyond that, which road in Abeokuta or anywhere across Ogun State can be boldly called a ‘standard road’ under this government?” he asked.
On the much-publicized 70-kilometer Abeokuta–Ifo–Ota–Lagos Expressway, the UPM leader described it as a “70-kilometer shame.”
He said, “It was flagged off with fanfare over a year ago with a promise of completion in 18 months. Today, the portions already worked on are breaking apart even while construction is ongoing. What kind of standard is that? A road that collapses as it is being laid?”
Shoyinka also took a swipe at the governor’s alleged absence from project sites, saying lack of supervision has worsened the situation.
“Governor Abiodun does not inspect, he does not supervise. He is content to sit somewhere while contractors shortchange the people. Unlike governors before him who personally visited project sites and engaged directly with host communities, this one rules from a distance,” he said.
He credited Distinguished Senator Solomon Adeola “Yayi” for the few road interventions in Ogun West, insisting that without him the region would have remained abandoned.
“Even the little semblance of road projects Yewa people are seeing is thanks to Yayi. Were it left to the governor, Ogun West would have remained abandoned,” Shoyinka stated.
Calling out the silence of opposition parties and civil society groups, the activist said their inaction had emboldened the government to keep failing the people.
“The PDP in Ogun State has been sleeping. Civil society groups that should be the conscience of the people are nowhere to be found. This vacuum emboldens a government of mediocrity to talk about standards,” he added.
Shoyinka concluded that Ogun people deserve better and should look forward to 2027. “Governor Abiodun’s administration is not known for standards. It is known for failed promises, abandoned projects, and substandard roads. Therefore, to lecture anyone on technical standards is hypocrisy at its peak. Ogun people deserve better, and come 2027, ‘Òtító kò ní bàjẹ́ láéláé’ — truth can never perish. The people’s truth will speak at the ballot box.”
