The Ogun State Government on Wednesday berated former governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, over his recent criticism of Governor Dapo Abiodun, saying he should not condemn the same consensus arrangement that facilitated his emergence as the All Progressives Congress senatorial candidate in 2023.
The government described Daniel’s allegations against Abiodun as politically motivated and borne out of frustration over what it called his declining influence within the APC.
Daniel, during his Midterm Assessment and Empowerment Tour in Ijebu Ode, had accused the governor of neglecting Ijebuland, frustrating federal projects facilitated by him, causing Ogun State to lose the proposed Dangote Refinery project, and opposing the establishment of a naval base in Abigi.
Reacting in a statement issued on Wednesday, the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the Governor, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, dismissed the allegations as baseless and accused the former governor of attacking the same political structure that once worked in his favour.
Akinmade said it was ironic that Daniel, who allegedly benefited from the intervention and support of Governor Abiodun during the 2023 APC senatorial primary process, had now turned against the party’s consensus arrangement.
He said, “Daniel is simply fighting the same consensus arrangement and party structure that produced him as senator in 2023. It is surprising that someone who benefited immensely from the collective decision of the party is now attacking the same process because it no longer suits his personal ambition.”
The governor’s aide stated that Abiodun had prevailed on other aspirants, including the then incumbent senator, to step down for Daniel in the interest of party unity and cohesion.
According to him, the arrangement ensured a peaceful emergence of Daniel as the APC senatorial candidate for Ogun East.
Akinmade further alleged that Daniel resorted to “cheap lies and propaganda” after allegedly realising that his political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections had suffered a setback.
The government maintained that residents of Ogun State, particularly those in Ijebuland, remained appreciative of the developmental projects executed by the Abiodun administration.
Akinmade claimed that about 29 major road projects had been completed in Ijebu Ode, adding that several previously neglected roads across the state had also been rehabilitated.
The statement also faulted Daniel’s comparison of federal allocations received during his tenure as governor with those accruing to the current administration.
The government accused the former governor of ignoring prevailing economic realities, especially the depreciation of the naira.
“It is interesting that Daniel, who left office in 2011 when the exchange rate hovered around N150 to N170 per dollar, is now claiming he would have executed more projects with current allocations at a time the dollar exchanges for over N1,370,” the statement added.
On Daniel’s allegation that Governor Abiodun frustrated the establishment of the Dangote Refinery in Ogun State, the government described the claim as false and contrary to publicly available facts.
Akinmade referenced comments credited to the President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, during a visit to the governor’s office in Abeokuta, where he reportedly commended the administration’s investor friendly policies.
The government added that the ongoing expansion of Dangote cement plants in Itori and Ibeshe reflected investors’ confidence in the state under Abiodun’s administration.
The statement further accused Daniel of engaging in anti party activities during the 2023 governorship election and other political contests in the state.
Akinmade alleged that APC stakeholders in Ogun East became uncomfortable with Daniel’s repeated support for opposition elements during elections.
He also accused the senator of disregarding party structures and due process by allegedly acting independently without proper consultation with party stakeholders.
The government, however, insisted that Governor Abiodun remained focused on governance and delivering developmental projects across the state despite political distractions.
